August 12th, 2024
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that about 21 million adults have experienced an episode of major depression in the United States, while about 5 million young adults aged 12-17 have had at least one episode of major depression (Major Depression, n.d.).
That means they have experienced at least two weeks of a depressed mood, loss of interest and/or pleasure in their daily routine and activities, experienced difficulty sleeping, developed a poor appetite, low motivation and energy, poor concentration, and depleted self-worth.
For some people, treatment options such as antidepressant medication and talk therapy, have not been enough to experience remission of depression symptoms for any substantial period of time. This is commonly called treatment-resistant depression.
“Treatment-resistant depression affects about 30% of people diagnosed with major depressive disorder.” (Treatment-Resistant Depression, 2023). It is a main factor in clients being recommended for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a treatment option specifically for treatment-resistant depression; however, it is also approved to treat additional mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and a range of other mental health challenges.
TMS therapy is FDA-approved and is a safe and effective method that does not require any surgical procedures, it does not require anesthesia, is relatively painless, and has fewer side effects than medicinal treatments typically have. Patients typically require no medication after treatment, and it has better outcome rates. Additionally, most major insurances cover this treatment option.
To learn more about the pros and cons of TMS therapy, head to our blog “Is TMS Worth Trying?”.
“Researchers from the Neuromodulation Division of UCLA’s Semel Institute analyzed the outcomes of hundreds of patients treated at UCLA Health from 2009 to 2022 with TMS therapy, which uses magnetic fields to effectively “rewire” the brain’s circuitry.
A new study in Psychiatry Research found that 54% of patients exhibited clinical response (at least a 50% improvement) in mood symptoms when examined using multiple depression rating scales.” (Study Finds Possible Early Predictor of Successful Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depression, 2023).
These findings provide continued hope for those who may also not respond to traditional treatment options. Kristin Hooker describes her experience, in a YouTube video, noting that “It's tedious but it works so well, and I think it's worth it.” She further expresses, “It’s not really a cure, it’s a treatment and sometimes you have to do the treatment more than one time.”
Her videos provide updates throughout her treatment experience, including the challenges as well successes with TMS. She concludes that she still likes it and “would do it again.”
In a varying form of TMS, known as SAINT TMS (Stanford Intelligent Accelerated Neuromodulation Therapy) which is an accelerated TMS treatment protocol, patients have experienced a “70% response rate and 50% remission rate after a month” (SAINT TMS | FDA Cleared Accelerated TMS Protocol, 2023).
In a news report, (TODAY, 2022) a patient who has undergone treatment noted “It just works” further citing that it saved their life. With this most recent FDA approval of SAINT TMS in 2023, a more efficient and faster treatment option seems possible.
Upon exploring TMS therapy advantages, if you come to think this may be a good option for you it is beneficial to address this option with your care provider. Advocating for a comprehensive treatment plan with your mental health care team should not be difficult but instead collaborative.
There are often many modalities and strategies used to assist patients and TMS therapy for depression is another option. Therapy, medication, good sleep hygiene, support groups, proper nutrition, and physical activity to name a few, can all be used in conjunction with TMS treatment and may only enhance positive outcomes.
Your current mental health provider may not be fully knowledgeable about TMS therapy but can assist you with the proper resources to locate a trained TMS provider like our psychiatrists at Clarity Clinic.
Upon meeting with a TMS treatment provider, you will be assessed to ensure that TMS therapy is a safe option for you which may involve you having a physical exam and lab work as well as a mental health evaluation to discuss your experience of depression.
You will be asked about any implants of medical devices, current and past medications you have taken, any history of seizures, any history of headaches, and other diagnoses you may have received along with any other pertinent information.
In the first session, you will be given a white cap where the mapping will occur. Mapping is the process of locating specific spots needed as well as assessing the motor threshold. Your TMS technician will use this cap for every session. Once the mapping is complete, a non-invasive electromagnetic coil is placed onto the scalp of the client for pulse stimulation of specific regions in the brain that controls mood.
It uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells for “longer lasting changes in brain activity” (ECT, TMS and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.).
You would be seated in a comfortable chair as the magnet is placed and the simulation pulses begin. These pulses are not painful, many patients report they feel like a light tapping sensation on your head.
TMS Treatment generally lasts for a few weeks with each session lasting no more than an hour. At Clarity Clinic, we enhance your TMS therapy experience by offering a range of streaming services, allowing you to unwind and enjoy your favorite shows while you relax during your TMS treatment session.
If you have struggled with treatment resistant depression and feel this can be a viable option for you, book a free TMS consultation with Clarity Clinic to speak with one of our psychiatrists about TMS treatment for depression.
Struggling with depression and haven't found lasting relief with traditional medication or therapy? You're not alone. At Clarity Clinic, we offer innovative Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for patients in Chicago seeking a new path to battling depression.
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Ready to take control of your depression? We offer the best TMS therapy in Chicago! Schedule a free transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy consultation at one of our TMS clinics now.
We have TMS clinics conveniently located in the Loop and Arlington Heights so you can easily find TMS therapy near you. After your consultation, a psychiatrist will assess if transcranial magnetic stimulation is right for you and craft a personalized depression treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We proudly provide the best TMS therapy near you, specializing in TMS for depression. Don't wait to feel better. Call us at (312) 815-9660 for our Loop TMS clinic, (847) 666-5339 for our Arlington Heights TMS clinic, or book a free TMS consultation below to learn more!
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