Sacramento Neuropsych Associates

How TMS Therapy Works for Depression

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America reported that depression is the foremost reason of disability among U.S. people aged below 44 years. How about you? Are you struggling with depression? If this is the case, you may have heard of TMS therapy, also known as TMS. It is an FDA-approved, non-invasive option. This article aims to discuss how TMS therapy works for depression.

What is TMS Therapy? 

TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In this procedure, the brain will be stimulated non-surgically using magnetic pulses in order to regulate neurotransmitter production like dopamine and serotonin. This therapy aims to alleviate depression-related symptoms like persistent fear, worry, and sadness. 

How Does TMS Therapy Work?

The patient is placed in a room with a special helmet that emits magnetic pulses during a session. To reach the desired region of the brain, the magnetic fields penetrate the scalp and skull and stimulate neurons to produce neurotransmitters.

Essentially, TMS attempts to diminish the side effects of depression by stimulating specific regions in your brain to deliver neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

The main steps of TMS therapy are as follows:

  • First: A helmet that emits magnetic pulses is fitted to the patient.
  • Next: Depending on the condition being treated, the technician will alter the intensity of the magnetic field.
  • Finally: In TMS depression, the magnetic pulses are coordinated to specific regions of the brain to promote neuron activity and neurotransmitter production.

TMS treatment can appear to be unique for everybody except but is typically administered for 4-6 weeks. Patients are awake and alert throughout the treatment, and each session can last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. Some patients may continue to receive maintenance TMS therapy after the initial treatment course to prevent the recurrence of symptoms. 

Benefits of TMS Treatment for Depression

TMS therapy is effective for depression since it targets the prefrontal cortex, which is thought to be a part of the brain that controls mood. TMS therapy may help alleviate depression symptoms and improve mood by stimulating this part of the brain. TMS therapy has been shown to help patients improve their lives and even transmit their depression level into remission in recent years.

The following are some of TMS therapy’s advantages:

TMS therapy is a safe and effective treatment that has been demonstrated to assist patients in achieving a better quality of life without causing any life-changing side effects. It is non-addictive, does not cause memory problems, and has a high likelihood of a positive response. Furthermore, TMS therapy does not require an extensive time commitment.

This non-invasive and drug-free therapy improves focus, sleep quality, mood, anxiety level, and depression symptoms. It also has an increased ability to cope with stressors and triggers.

Overall, TMS is a new therapy for depression, yet it is a fantastic choice to propose to patients who can’t take specific meds due to incidental effects or for different reasons.

How long can I expect to feel better after TMS?

Even when conventional treatments fail, depression treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) frequently succeed. A lot of potential patients are interested in learning everything they can about TMS, particularly its duration. Results change from one patient to another, and that’s the reason we recommend everyone considering TMS for major depression book a consultation for discussing their particular health conditions.

People who haven’t gotten the results they expected from first-line treatments like antidepressants and talk therapy may benefit from TMS as a depression treatment option.

In the end, every patient is different in terms of how long the effects of TMS treatment last. If they experience a second major depressive episode, some people may require TMS treatments once again. However, here is the good news! If TMS therapy delivered a significant improvement for people in their first session, it almost always works well again. TMS therapy also offers sustainable mental health benefits for a prolonged duration. 

A 2014 research study reported that among the people with depression who improved, 62% were as yet improved or in remission by the end of the year.

Sacramento Neuro Psych Associates Provides TMS Treatment for Depression

Sacramento Neuro Psych Associates is pleased to offer TMS therapy to individuals whose depression has a negative impact on their lives and who, for whatever reason, have not improved even after receiving more conventional treatments.

We are happy to see all patients and will do our best to give them the best care possible. Contact us right away if you or someone you care about is looking for depression treatment! We are now offering telemedicine (video consultation) service to both children and adults. Similarly, Sacramento Neuro Psych Associates accept both cash payments and most commercial insurance as well. Book your appointment with psychiatrist today.

All you have to do is just fill this TelePsych Consent Form in case you have not filled it already.