Many people struggling with depressive disorders don’t get the help or symptoms relief they need and expect from traditional treatments like behavioral therapy or psychiatric medications. This is known as treatment-resistant depression. However, people living with treatment-resistant depression don’t have to give up hope of finding a treatment that works for them. TMS depression therapy has shown effectiveness for symptom reduction in people living with treatment-resistant depression. So, if you or a loved one is living with treatment-resistant depression and are considering TMS, you may have some questions about this revolutionary therapy.
Some of the most frequently asked questions about TMS for depression include:
No. There are no medications required for patients to take in order to be a candidate for TMS therapy for depression. This is why TMS is such a great tool for people who have used antidepressants that haven’t provided the symptom relief they expect or need. However, it may be suggested that psychiatric medications are recommended in combination with TMS sessions as a combination of therapy tools can help to increase the chances of results. All in all, medications are not required to have success with TMS.
It’s believed that symptoms of depressive disorders are a result of decreased activity in neurotransmitters within specific areas of the brain. When certain neurotransmitters aren’t active, the brain doesn’t produce chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for mood regulation, motivation, and feelings of happiness. TMS works by stimulating neurotransmitters in areas of the brain that aren’t functioning as they normally would. Therefore, helping to ease the symptoms of depression.
Many people worry about the added cost of TMS to their depression treatment. However, as TMS is an effective tool, it has been accepted by insurance companies as a practical treatment for depression. So, many insurance companies are now covering or partially covering the costs of TMS treatment sessions for people who are diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The best way to find out if your insurance plan covers the cost of TMS is to contact your insurance provider.
One of the major concerns and issues that people taking antidepressants for depressive disorders have are medication side effects. There are a wide array of side effects from medications that make taking daily antidepressants difficult. But, with TMS, there are few to no side effects, which makes TMS a popular option for people struggling with symptoms of depression who don’t like medication side effects. While most people don’t experience any side effects of TMS, the ones that do experience mild side effects which are only temporary. Some of the side effects of TMS can include:
Yes. TMS is a completely non-invasive treatment that doesn’t require sedation or surgery. During sessions, a machine is used to send magnetic pulses through the brain. Essentially, the patient puts on the TMS headgear and relaxes until the session is over. This makes treatments completely safe and easy to utilize any day of the week as it doesn’t affect the ability to drive, the need for recovery, or waiting until sedation wears off. Once treatment sessions are complete, patients who use TMS can go back to their daily obligations and responsibilities.
Delray Brain Science is committed to helping people living with depressive disorders by offering outpatient psychiatric services including TMS. Find out more about TMS sessions at Delray Brain Science on our website and what you can expect from TMS for depression.
