The World Health Organization indicates that over 264 million people across the globe suffer from depression. Many people experience short-lived emotional responses to everyday life’s challenges and mood fluctuations. Depression disorders differ from that, especially when it’s long-lasting with moderate to severe intensity. That’s where some patients might wonder, what is TMS therapy for depression?
What Is TMS Therapy for Depression?
TMS is an acronym for the treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation. It’s a noninvasive procedure whereby stimulation to a patient’s nerve cells in their brain occurs using magnetic fields. That way, their symptoms of depression experience improvements. When other treatments prove ineffective, that’s when TMS therapy for depression becomes an option.
The procedure doesn’t require anesthesia, and administration typically occurs by a doctor or nurse. Most patients tolerate these treatments and any mild side effects well and can drive themselves home when it’s complete.
If you are suffering from stubborn symptoms of depression, TMS therapy provides an effective solution. When medication, traditional, and holistic therapies fail to improve symptoms, this method produces results.
Understanding How TMS Therapy for Depression Works
When you’re wondering what is TMS therapy for depression, questions about how TMS therapy works might also be coming to mind. Even though it’s a noninvasive treatment, it’s an intensive therapy that requires several weeks of five-day sessions. Depending on the person’s depression symptoms, TMS therapy treatment time might be longer. During each session, patients might be undergoing the treatment from between twenty to fifty minutes.
The administration of treatment typically occurs at the left DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Because physicians are using magnetic pulses, they’ll ask patients to remove their jewelry and put away magnetic sensitive items, including credit cards. This procedure is similar to those of an MRI machine.
The Benefits of TMS Therapy for Depression
You’ll find that many patients benefit significantly from TMS regarding finding relief for their depression. Here are some of those benefits:
- Patients who do not respond successfully to anti-depression medications find TMS therapy for depression tolerable and effective
- TMS effectiveness lasts between sixteen and fifty-two weeks
- Patients experience only a few mild side effects at the TMS coil’s location
- The remission rate for patients is high
- Each treatment session is short
- Clinically proven as a tolerable and effective treatment for depression
The benefits of TMS therapy are best supported by continued psychotherapy sessions. Utilizing multiple techniques for depression treatment can reduce the occurrences of symptoms.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
When you arrive at your first TMS therapy appointment, a technician describes the in’s and out’s of the question, “what is TMS therapy for depression?” During that consultation, you’ll also receive information about the technology they use, how often you must attend, and the ideal intensity for your sessions.
When it’s time for treatments to begin, the technician determines the ideal anatomical target when determining the session’s intensity. This means only a specific portion of the brain will be targeted at a level to produce desired results. They also explain to you that while one treatment might produce favorable results, relief doesn’t typically occur until following the fifth or sixth session.
Treating chronic depression symptoms is a process. To get the most out of TMS therapy for depression, follow the recommendations of experts.
Finding Treatment for Depression
Do you know someone or are you yourself suffering from depression? Our licensed clinicians are here to help provide you with additional information regarding the question, what is TMS therapy for depression? No one should have to experience this without help. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, contact TMS Therapy Now at 866.305.7668 for more information about TMS therapy.
