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Significance of TMS Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder

TMS Therapy

It’s estimated that over 15 million Americans suffer from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), which showcases why this illness needs to be addressed and treated quickly. Depression can negatively impact all aspects of your life, be it at home, school, or work. Therefore, it’s highly important to treat depression effectively. There are various antidepressants that may minimize the symptoms of MDD. However, TMS therapy tops the list as one of the most efficient ways of reducing symptoms.

How does TMS Therapy Help?

Not all symptoms of depression can be adequately resolved by medication or therapy. Those struggling with Major Depressive Disorder may have tried different classes of medication with varying results and side effects. Some may see a little benefit or no benefit and want to know what alternatives there are to medication. 

The stigma surrounding mental health has greatly improved over the years, but there are still those who have never heard of TMS or confuse the treatment with Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Using electromagnetic pulses, TMS offers a non-invasive treatment option for Major Depressive Disorder without the common side effects of other treatments.

Advantages of TMS Therapy

TMS plays a critical role when dealing with the subject of improving symptoms of depression. In addition to targeting the mood-regulating areas in the brain to alleviate symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, TMS has a number of advantages, some of which are highlighted below:

  • Noninvasive

The most significant reason Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy is becoming more and more acceptable in the field of medicine during the past decade is that no part of the treatment is invasive. A coil is placed gently against the patient’s head to direct electromagnetic pulses.

  • Safe

TMS has been tested thoroughly and is a relatively safe treatment option. The most common side effect is minor scalp discomfort at the site of treatment that usually resolves during treatment.

  • Effective and Efficient

A real-world study published in J Affective Disorders reported an 83% response rate. This means that 83% of patients that completed their TMS therapy saw a clinically significant improvement in their symptoms. The same real-world study reported a 62% remission rate, meaning that 62% of patients who completed treatment likely wouldn’t be diagnosed with MDD if they were first being evaluated by their doctor

Why Choose SNBCare?

The providers at Spectrum Neuro Behavioral Care have been providing mental health care in New England for over a decade. Our mission, vision, and values have guided our work and shaped our directions to expand and help as many communities as possible. SNBCare is dedicated to providing the highest quality services to our community in a caring, patient-friendly environment. We provide coordinated care to best serve the patient’s individual needs including TMS.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy is a promising treatment that offers long-lasting relief to patients struggling with treatment-resistant depression. In addition, the safety and noninvasive nature of the treatment make it flexible for the patients to seek TMS treatment as well. In short, TMS has a promising future with various types of research exploring the premise of the treatment’s application.

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Caring for Someone with Depression: Tips for Depression Treatment

Depression Treatment

You know how severe depression can be if a friend or loved one suffers from it. It can be pretty difficult to talk openly to someone about their feelings. But you know how crucial it is to get them the depression treatment they need to live happier lives.

Being a caregiver for someone suffering from depression takes empathy and patience. You must listen to your loved ones and support them in their quest for remission.

It is important to be understanding and compassionate but also to be persistent when it comes to helping someone with depression.

How to Know If Someone Needs Depression Treatment?

Most of the time, it gets pretty difficult to detect how someone feels or what is going through their heads. Although everyone is unique, these are the main symptoms of depression that might come in handy in identifying what someone is going through.

●       Depressed Mood: Extreme sadness that can last for several days or even weeks.

●       Absence of interest: They are no longer interested in the things they love and adore.

●       Low Energy: Long-lasting and unusual bouts of fatigue.

●       Lack of Concentration: Unable to concentrate or make decisions.

●       Low self-esteem: Clouded judgment and lack of confidence.

●       Guilty and Unworthiness: This can include talking about being ineffective or self-deprecating.

●       Inconsistent Sleeping Schedule: Includes irregular sleeping patterns, oversleeping, or insomnia.

●       Eating habits, weight loss/gain, and changes in eating habits: This can include overeating or a loss of appetite.

●       Self-Harm Ideas: Includes physical abuse purposely done to own body.

These symptoms can be identified in a friend or someone you love suffering from depression. Once detected, you should help them get the proper treatment for their mental and emotional well-being.

Because depression still carries a heavy stigma, it is important to reach out to loved ones suffering from depression and help them seek treatment. Telling someone to “feel better” and “get over it” will not help them. Instead, it is going to have the opposite effect. It must be borne in mind that depression is a severe disorder. Therefore, professional depression treatment is the only way forward out of this ailment.

What Depression Treatments Are Available?

Antidepressant medication can be very effective for some people but is not suitable for everyone and may cause unwanted side effects, further deteriorating their health.

However, patients who don’t benefit from antidepressants have the opportunity to try non-drug, non-invasive treatments such as NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy. TMS therapy works by using a magnetic coil placed on your head during your session. Electromagnetic pulses cause you to feel a tapping sensation where the coil is placed, despite nothing actually moving against your scalp. The magnetic energy emitting from the coil targets a specific area of your brain that helps regulate mood.

How Can SNBCare Help with Depression Treatment?

NeuroStar TMS, offered by SNBCare, is an alternative depression treatment for patients. It is available to patients who are not satisfied with the results and risks of medication and are seeking remission from depression. If you or someone you know fits this description, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free TMS consultation at SNBCare. 

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Advanced TMS: New Hope for Depression Treatment

TMS

Depression has become one of the leading causes of disability across the United States among people ages 15 to 44. Although there are many effective ways to treat Depression, first-line strategies such as psychotherapy and antidepressants don’t work for all.

What can depression sufferers do when they don’t respond to first-line treatment options? For a long time, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT or “shock therapy”) was considered one of the most effective treatment options for depression. While ECT is still widely used across the United States as a treatment, the intense side effects it can cause often steer people away.

For many patients suffering from depression, ECT can be too difficult to handle due to its negative effects on the brain and memory. For those who suffer from depression and many others who’ve experienced insufficient response to medication and therapies alone. Many people are unfortunately unaware there is an effective option for treatment-resistant depression known as TMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

SNBCare, partnered with NeuroStar, provides a safe, effective, and noninvasive treatment as an alternative to medication. According to a study published by Sackeim HA², 83% of patients completing NeuroStar treatment experienced measurable depression relief; and further, 62% experienced complete remission of their depression relief.   

What Exactly Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

The goal of TMS is to stimulate the nerve cells in the brain that are responsible for mood regulation. TMS is completely noninvasive, impacting the central nervous system by using powerful magnetic fields targeted to specific regions of the brain, which we understand are associated with depression. 

Focused magnetic pulses are used in TMS, similar to an MRI, to stimulate the brain’s dormant neurons and restore brain function. It is not a “shock” treatment, a drug, or a surgery. Instead, it is an effective, safe treatment for MDD that has fewer possible side effects than medication.

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/does-depression-make-you-eligible-for-disability

https://neurostar.com/what-is-neurostar-advanced-therapy/

How Soon Will You See Progress with TMS?

NeuroStar TMS patients often notice an improvement in as little as two to three weeks. This can lead to changes in mood and a decreased risk of developing depression. It may also result in a greater desire to socialize with others more often. In addition, your friends and family might notice the changes before you do.

Completion is Important. The best way to get long-lasting depression relief is to complete the NeuroStar TMS treatment program from SNBCare.  

Through SNBCare, treatments for depression are readily available, including TMS. The practice accepts most insurances and their qualified healthcare professionals work closely with you to determine which course of treatment will most benefit you. Ready to get started? Find out how SNB Care can help you with TMS.

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