According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over one-third of Americans show signs of depression and anxiety. These numbers continue to rise due to additional challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has profound psychological and social effects. In roughly two-thirds of people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the first antidepressant they try will not bring relief from all symptoms, and each medication tried after the first is LESS likely to alleviate symptoms. There is a famous study that examines this in further detail, which you can read more about on our blog here.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses neurostimulation on specific areas of the brain, which improves symptoms of depression. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TMS for treatment of MDD in 2008, but many people suffering from MDD have never heard of it. More recently, TMS has been featured in more mainstream media, such as Men’s Health, Harvard Health, Psychology Today, and even Forbes. It’s being featured, in part, because of the many success stories of those with treatment-resistant depression finally finding relief from their symptoms. In fact, nearly 60% of individuals with treatment-resistant depression experience improvement with r-TMS, with roughly one-third experience a full remission of their symptoms from MDD. In our clinic at The TMS Collaborative, we have seen over 80% of our patients respond positively to r-TMS treatment.
Even more good news: TMS is covered by most insurance plans. When you decide to start TMS therapy, the clinic will work to get treatment preauthorized with your insurance. Once the insurance company provides approval, you can begin treatment. Sessions are less than 20-minutes each and are administered five days per week for six weeks. There are variations for treatment depending on your needs, so if you have any questions regarding the treatment schedule, please contact us.
r-TMS treatment is painless and non-invasive. Some people experience mild discomfort from the pulses, but this generally fades shortly after the session is over. r-TMS has significantly fewer side effects than antidepressants, and patients can continue their day immediately following treatment.
Is r-TMS Therapy right for you? That is between you and your doctor, but if you have tried antidepressants and are still experiencing some or all of your symptoms of depression, r-TMS could be the missing piece. The team at The TMS Collaborative is here to provide support while you navigate the process. You can reach out to us by email: [email protected], or call us: (603) 988-2561.