Everything You Must Know About TMS Treatment For Depression!

Feeling down, sadness and losing interest or pleasure in everyday activities may sound familiar to all of us. However, if these symptoms persist and disturb your life considerably, the issue may be depression. According to WHO (World Health Organisation), universally, depression is the main cause of disability. It can affect adults, adolescents and children.
 

Treatments for depression:

There are quite a few effective treatment options for depression; however, the first-line approaches, including psychotherapy and antidepressants, don’t work for everyone. Indeed, about two-thirds of people with depression don’t get complete relief from the first antidepressant they try. So, what can people with depression do when they do not respond to these standard treatment options?

For some decades, ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy was the golden standard for treatment-resistant depression. Electroconvulsive Therapy is still considered the most effective and potent treatment for depression and is in practice worldwide. However, some people with depression cannot tolerate ECT's side effects on their memory and cognition. Moreover, hospitalisation and anaesthetics are required for ECT and are not appropriate for everyone. For those people and the many others who haven’t had a response to therapy and medications, there is another option called TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
 

What is TMS treatment?

TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation offered at Sydney TMS clinic, is a non-invasive procedure. TMS involves directing recurring magnetic pulses at a specific region of the brain known for controlling moods. These pulses painlessly pass through the skull and stimulate brain cells. These pulses delivered at regular intervals are known as rTMS or repetitive TMS.

The stimulation has a long-lasting effect on how the brain functions, boosting your mood and easing depression symptoms. Unlike Electroconvulsive Therapy, TMS doesn’t necessitate any post-therapy downtime or sedation. Moreover, it comes without any cognition or memory side effects. In fact, for most people, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has fewer side effects compared to antidepressant drugs.
 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression:

Depression can take a heavy toll. It can change how you think, feel, and even function in your day to day life. Though many individuals can get relief through therapy, medication, self-help, or a blend of these treatments, for others, the sense of desperation never lets up.

If you are suffering from major depression that is proven resistant to other treatments, then TMS therapy may be the right choice for you. Just like how antidepressant medicine aims to chemically stimulate your brain, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation does the same using magnetic fields.
 

The Success Rates:

About 20-40% of all depressed patients stay chronically depressed with psychotherapeutic and antidepressants interventions. However, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS has shown to be a promising treatment for people in this group. According to a study, TMS reduces depression scores by up to 40–50% for the majority of people who use this treatment..

If you are suffering from depression and no other medication you have tried seems to work, spending in rTMS treatment cost may be your best choice.

The author is an avid blogger. With a highly dedicated and experienced team, he delivers specialised transcranial magnetic stimulation to all his patients.