TMS Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression

For many people with depression, TMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation is a new concept. You may not be familiar with this treatment, but it may be a viable alternative to other methods. If your psychiatrist has prescribed medication and taken you through therapy, it is possible that these have not been effective. In such a case, you can still get the help you need. Different approaches can help you manage and overcome the symptoms of depression.

A look at resistant depression

Occasionally feeling sad or blue is not unusual. A person who feels this way does not necessarily need to worry, as most people have bouts of feeling depressed. However, when the depression lingers, gets worse, or interferes with daily life, treatment is necessary. Visiting a psychiatrist often will result in a regimen of medication and therapy.

The problem is that not every patient reacts positively to these methods. Some people resist medication and counseling, and the depression symptoms do not improve. Sometimes, the symptoms may go away for a short time, only to return soon after. When this happens, the person has resistant depression. TMS therapy can be the next step.

Understanding TMS and how it works

Feeling down can be the result of disappointment or rejection. Depression may also hit a person who encounters extreme stress or who has suffered a significant loss. But when long-term depression is a problem, psychiatrists often believe the brain is the culprit. Certain areas of the brain are responsible for regulating mood and behavior. If there is little to no activity in these areas, depression can occur.

To stimulate activity here, the psychiatrist may recommend TMS therapy. To do this treatment, the psychiatrist or a technician will place electromagnetic coils on the person’s head. To know where to place them, the technician will first measure the person’s head. Then, a pulse goes into the brain, stimulating the nerve cells.

How long will it last?

While medication may be a long-term or even lifelong form of treatment, TMS usually does not last long. The person will come in for treatment frequently — five days a week. This will go on for four to six weeks. At this point, the person can expect positive results and have the depression under control.

An effective way to treat resistant depression

A person can get frustrating when counseling or medication is not successful in treating depression. But TMS offers a different approach. And there is no need to worry about feeling pain during the process. This therapy does not cause discomfort. It should not pose significant side effects. The psychiatrist will thoroughly explain how the process works before the patient starts.