Depression is a challenging mental health condition that can affect your relationships, home, and work life. NeuroStar TMS therapy has significantly impacted the treatment of depression, offering people with treatment-resistant depression an effective source of therapy.
The first-line treatment for depression is antidepressant medications. However, not everyone responds well to these medications, and many people do not receive significant relief.
When this occurs, it is called treatment-resistant depression. When you have this condition, you will be happy to know that people have found significant relief with NeuroStar TMS therapy. However, as with all medical treatments, it is important to understand the pros and cons of TMS therapy before choosing this treatment.
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. The therapy targets the specific areas of the brain responsible for mood disorders using electromagnetic pulses designed to increase nerve cell activity.
Researchers have discovered that the brain cells in people with depression are not as active as in those without depression. Electromagnetic pulses help activate those nerve cells and reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
During your treatment, you sit in a comfortable chair with a padded headrest. A padded coil is placed against your head, and electromagnetic pulses are delivered to targeted areas of your brain.
A full course of NeuroStar TMS therapy requires five days a week for five to seven weeks of therapy. Each treatment session lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. Research and clinical data have demonstrated that NeuroStar TMS therapy is an effective treatment for depression and depression-related anxiety and an adjunctive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
As with any medical treatment, there are pros and cons to TMS therapy. People with treatment-resistant depression may choose TMS therapy because it has fewer side effects than drugs used to treat depression. For example, the side effects associated with antidepressants include:
However, the side effects associated with TMS therapy are typically limited to the first week of treatment, and the most common issues include discomfort on the skin under the padded coil. Some people report mild to moderate headaches, toothaches, and other facial pain during treatment.
In very rare cases, a person may experience a seizure, which does not have any lasting effects. TMS treatment is highly effective for people with treatment-resistant depression, and many people will experience improvements within the first two to three weeks of treatment.
You do not need anesthesia or sedation during treatment, so you can return to your daily activities immediately after your office visit. NeuroStar TMS therapy is a non-invasive and effective treatment that typically offers long-term relief. Some people experience relief for up to one year after therapy.
There are other effective treatments for depression, including diet change, exercise, and talk therapy. However, it is difficult to make these changes in your lifestyle while experiencing symptoms of depression. The significant reduction or elimination of symptoms of depression after NeuroStar TMS therapy allows you to make these changes that can significantly prolong symptom relief.
While many insurance providers offer coverage for TMS therapy to treat major depressive disorder, coverage for depression-related anxiety and as an adjunctive therapy for OCD are not as well accepted. A full treatment cycle takes five to seven weeks of daily treatment, which can be expensive without insurance coverage and requires a significant time commitment.
While NeuroStar TMS therapy is highly beneficial and safe for many people who consider its pros and cons, it is not the best treatment option for everyone. NeuroStar TMS uses electromagnetic pulses to activate brain cells. These pulses can also attract other magnetic devices in the area.
If you have an implant, you are not a good candidate for TMS therapy. This includes cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, and pacemakers. People with tattoos on the head and neck area that use ferromagnetic ink are also not good candidates. NeuroStar TMS therapy is not an option for women who are pregnant and should not be used in individuals with a known seizure disorder, severe heart condition, or head injury.
When you experience treatment-resistant depression or do not want to use medication to treat your depression, we want you to know there is hope. We encourage you to call today and schedule a consultation to learn more about the pros and cons of TMS therapy. Our healthcare providers will answer your questions and help you make an informed treatment decision.
