Clinical Depression (also known as Major Depression) is serious, debilitating, and sometimes even life-threatening. Many people who suffer from depression may respond very well to medications, while others may not. Each time someone tries a medication that does not work, the chances of the next medication working goes down. By the third medication trial failure, medical studies have shown there is a more effective treatment: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
What is Transcrianial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an entirely new approach to treating Major Depression. In clinical trials, TMS has been proven to be safe and effective. The FDA (the government agency that approves medical treatments) has approved it for treating Major Depressive Disorder when medications don’t work. It is well tolerated, and the effects are usually long lasting. It has been used in research for over 30 years. Here at Southeastern Psychiatric Associates, we use a protolcol called rTMS or Repetitive Transcranaial Magnetic Stimulation.
What is it like?
Treatments are done in our Randolph offices. They take about 19 minutes. The patient settles into a reclining chair, and a small magnetic coil is placed against the left side of the forehead. When the treatment begins, the patient hears a clicking noise and experiences a sensation like a finger being firmly tapped on the forehead. Sometimes the patient’s eyebrow twitches, but this usually goes away. The patient remains fully awake and can watch TV or chat with someone in the room. The treatment does not cause any disorientation or cognitive problems, so the patient can immediately resume normal activities, like driving home or going to work. There is a very small chance (1 in 1000) of a seizure occurring during the treatment session. We always have a doctor in the office in case of such an unlikely event.
How does TMS work?
TMS creates a magnetic field which passes through the skull and into the outer layer of the brain (the “grey matter”). The magnetic field makes the brain cells more active and strengthens the connections between them—similar to how exercise makes muscles stronger. TMS “exercises” the region of the brain known as the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or l-DLPFC. The DLPFC is part of a brain network involved in promoting and suppressing emotion. Its job is to help the conscious, thinking part of the brain oppose the depressed feelings coming from deeper within the brain. As the DLPFC becomes stronger, depression is reduced.
What are the side effects of TMS?
TMS is well-tolerated and does not have the same side effects as tradition medication. The most common side effect is pain or discomfort near the treatment site.
Unlike traditional medication, TMS will not cause side effects like gastrointestinal upset, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, or sedation.
Effectiveness
Up to 60% of patients respond to the treatment, and around 25% will be depression free.
For TMS patients, these statistics are significantly better than if they had chosen to try another medication. The effect is usually long lasting. A large majority of people who respond to the treatment are still improved after a full year. Sometimes depression does start to return, but fortunately a few more treatments restore the effect in 85% of cases.
Is TMS right for me?
If you are a patient suffering with Major Depression and have not found a satisfactory treatment with antidepressant medication, TMS may be the next best step for you. TMS is not right for you if you are pregnant, if you plan to become pregnant, or if you have metal implants above your neck.
Make an appointment
TMS therapy may be right for you! Call to schedule your free consultation: 781-963-7775 ext. 21.
