Depression affects millions of Americans and is the second leading cause of disability.
1
affected each year
1
of all adults in the US
1
deaths from suicide
1
patients who can’t take antidepressants
About Depression
Depression is a debilitating disease that does not discriminate – it can occur in anyone, at any age, in any gender, and in any race.
Like any serious disease, if left untreated, depression can be fatal.
While the exact cause of depression is unknown, scientists believe that decreased activity in the neural networks of the brain that regulates mood plays could be a factor. Treatments that increase the level of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers between your brain cells, is one way to reactivate your neural networks and stimulate your mood.
Antidepressants and psychotherapy are common methods for treating depression. Unfortunately, for some reason or another, medication and talk therapy doesn’t always work for everyone.
Every Depression Is Different
Activities that used to bring you joy are a challenge. Many people experience extreme highs and lows related to:
Mood Irregularities
– anxiety, sadness, lack of motivation, feelings of hopelessness
Behavioral Changes
– unexplained crying, restlessness, repetitive thoughts or irritability
Irregular Sleep Patterns
– insomnia, early waking, excessive sleep or restlessness
Changes in Eating Habits
– lack of appetite or overeating
Cognitive Challenges
– lack of concentration or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Weight Changes
– sudden weight gain or loss
Symptoms of depression include:
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Sadness
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Anxiety
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No Motivation
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Lack of Interest
TMS Therapy for Depression
When medications and psychotherapy are unsuccessful, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) alone, or in conjunction with existing therapies, may provide new hope for those suffering from depression.
What Is TMS Therapy for Depression?
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive therapy used to treat depression by stimulating the brain with electromagnetic fields.
Much like an MRI machine, TMS uses short magnetic pulses to target the area of the brain associated with mood regulation. The magnetic field produces a magnetic pulse to the brain that stimulates your brain cells to produce Glucose which has been shown to improve depression and anxiety.
After extensive research into TMS provided by NeuroStar, Drs. Charles Devine, M.D. decided that TMS Therapy was the logical progression in providing their patients the best solution to major depression. TMS treatments are performed in our office under the supervision of a licensed psychiatrist and take about 19 minutes per session for about 4-6 weeks.
Is TMS Right for You?
If you’ve already tried antidepressants and talk therapy without relief, TMS might be right for you. Ask yourself:
- Have you been diagnosed with depression?
- Have you exhausted all other possible treatments for depression?
- Is there any physical conditions that might prevent you from being a TMS candidate?
Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of NeuroStar® TMS Therapy in treating patients who have been unsuccessful with other forms of depression therapies.
How to Treat Depression Without Meds
Antidepressants are often the first line of defense when treating depression.
Taken by mouth, these chemicals circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body. Some patients experience unwanted side effects when taking antidepressants such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, stomach issues, fatigue and dry mouth.
Antidepressants can also take days or weeks to fully circulate in the body to know whether or not it is effective.
While many patients do well with antidepressants, more than 4 million patients are either unsuccessful with the drugs or simply cannot tolerate their side effects. Women who are pregnant may also weigh the risks associated with taking such medications throughout pregnancy.
For these patients, alternative treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be the answer.
Testimonials–Proven Results
“When I was going through depression, I felt hopeless – it was the darkest time in my life. I was sad and miserable all the time. Since TMS, my perspective on life has been so positive that I know there is hope.”
–Martha F.
“I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety since I was in 7th grade. I went recently went through TMS Therapy. Since then, I have felt like a completely new person. My mental state is completely different from what it was just months before-and trust me, it was a mess.”
–Laurel G., age 20
“TMS exceeded my wildest expectations. Almost immediately the world looked bright and new. I so appreciate the opportunity to find a very different world and life.”
–Tim A.
Depression FAQs
Major depressive disorder is a condition which lasts two or more weeks and interferes with a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and enjoy normal activities. Major depression affects about 6.7 percent of adults in the U.S.
The exact cause of depression is not known, but leading research in Neuroscience points to an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters as the manifestation of depression. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells. A person’s genetic make-up and life history may also determine a person’s tendency to become depressed.
In 2016 a study conducted by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality reported that major depressive disorder will affect approximately 16 million American adults in a given year.
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health maintains that, “Depressive illness can often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have the disorder, but to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person.” A national study of depression found that nearly all the respondents who reported a major depressive disorder also reported that their social and/or work lives were negatively affected by their illness. In 2010, the economic burden of depression was estimated at $210 billion in the US2 and depression was the second leading cause of disability, accounting for almost 20% of all years of life lost to disability and premature death. Depression can also be a lethal disease. Each year in the US, over 30,000 people die by suicide, 60% of whom suffer from depression.
There is no known cure for depression but with effective treatment, many patients can remain symptom free.
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