Treatment-resistant depression is a form of depression that first-line medication therapy cannot easily address. People with this type of mental disorder have often gone through multiple courses of antidepressants without feeling noticeable relief from their symptoms or have experienced significant side effects. If you suffer from treatment-resistant depression, you may be a candidate for NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy.
NeuroStar TMS is a non-invasive approach to modifying neuronal activity in regions of the brain associated with depression. This therapy has been shown to be effective for people suffering from treatment-resistant depression, so reach out to us and learn if this is the right choice for you.
Research has long shown that certain mental health conditions, including depression, are associated with decreased neuronal activity in specific parts of the brain. Antidepressants serve to stimulate the brain by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. However, antidepressants are ineffective for many people for a variety of reasons, such as how their bodies metabolize these medications.
NeuroStar TMS therapy, on the other hand, works directly on the regions of your brain needing neuron stimulation by delivering magnetic pulses to the cortex over a given period of time. These pulses work to stimulate neurons in key brain regions and increase their activity levels. Regular exposure to these magnetic pulses further increases the activity levels and could reduce your depression symptoms short term. Long-term, TMS causes neuroplasticity and may reduce the chance your depression will come back. By bypassing the need for your body to metabolize medications, NeuroStar TMS could play a big part in managing your treatment-resistant depression symptoms.
At your NeuroStar TMS therapy session, you will sit comfortably in a chair while one of our specialists places a magnetic coil near your scalp. The coil will send brief, repetitive magnetic pulses to the area of your brain responsible for mood regulation, namely the prefrontal cortex. Your session will last 4-20 minutes.
While the coil is delivering pulses, you will hear noises and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp. The most common side effects include mild discomfort where the coil was placed and a mild headache following the procedure. After your therapy session, you can go home immediately because no downtime or recovery is necessary.
NeuroStar TMS therapy involves retraining your brain to achieve activity levels found in the brains of people who are not experiencing depression. Just as rehabilitating a muscle in your body requires ongoing therapy to rebuild its full capacity and strength, the NeuroStar TMS process involves ongoing treatment until you achieve a specified level of neuronal activity in the targeted regions of your brain.
For people suffering from treatment-resistant depression, an effective course of NeuroStar TMS therapy usually involves sessions five days a week for seven weeks. This has been shown to dramatically diminish depression symptoms and, in many cases, to lead to complete remission from depression.
If you suffer from treatment-resistant depression, it can be easy to feel despair. You have probably already attempted several courses of antidepressants with no meaningful relief from your symptoms and may have had to deal with these medications’ systemic side effects. Fortunately, there is a non-medication-based treatment option: NeuroStar TMS.
To learn more about the role of TMS in managing treatment-resistant depression, call our team at Chrysalis Psychiatry today to schedule a consultation. We are proud to offer this breakthrough therapy option to our patients and are eager to help you start your journey toward better mental health.
