Around one-third of the 16 million Americans with depression live with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The team at American Psychiatric Care in Bel Air, Silver Spring, and Perry Hall, Maryland, offers innovative transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an alternative depression treatment if antidepressants and therapy haven't reduced your symptoms. Call the nearest office or request a consultation online today to determine if TMS can help you.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an innovative therapy that uses an electromagnetic pulse, much like the energy used during an MRI, to stimulate neurotransmitter activity in the regions of your brain that regulate your mood. The team at American Psychiatric Care may suggest TMS therapy if you have depression, and conventional treatments like antidepressants and therapy haven’t alleviated your symptoms.
TMS treatment is noninvasive, doesn’t require anesthesia, and is usually well-tolerated. You won’t need any downtime to recover and can even drive yourself to and from your appointments.
TMS is an excellent option to consider if you have depression and conventional treatments either aren’t effective or cause intolerable side effects. In most cases, you need to have tried several different types of medicine before trying TMS.
You should be in good physical health for TMS therapy. TMS might not be right for you if you have a history of epilepsy, psychosis, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. Additionally, if you have any metal or implantable devices like pacemakers in your body, you shouldn’t have TMS. Metal fillings and braces are acceptable.
The best way to know if TMS is right for you is to schedule a consultation with the team at American Psychiatric Care. They provide comprehensive screening before recommending TMS therapy.
Most patients receive 5 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. Your first session takes the longest because your provider must take precise measurements to ensure the TMS coils are placed in the correct position on your skull. They program your measurements into the equipment, and at subsequent appointments, the machine calibrates itself to your precise measurements.
The treatment itself only takes 20-40 minutes. You rest in a comfortable chair with the TMS coils positioned lightly against your skull. When your provider turns on the machine, you may hear or feel a mild clicking or tapping sensation as the electromagnetic pulse stimulates your brain. After your treatment, you can get right back to your regular activities.
Everyone responds to TMS differently. You may notice a reduction in your depression symptoms within two weeks, or you might need 5-6 weeks of treatment to feel better.
The team at American Psychiatric Care is committed to helping you lead a healthy and fulfilling life. If you’ve struggled to find an effective treatment for depression, call the office or request an appointment online today to learn more about TMS and determine if it’s right for you.