At Chrysalis Psychiatry, we can help you navigate the challenges of choosing the right treatment for your mental health needs. We specialize in a range of mental health treatments, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy.
As you consider your treatment options, you may be wondering how to decide between TMS therapy and Medication management. Below, we review these two popular treatment options. For an individualized consultation, speak with our specialists today.
Physicians typically recommend antidepressants and other medications as a first-line defense for mental health conditions. These drugs work by adjusting the chemical balance in your brain, and once you take them, it is absorbed into your body and starts working from the inside. By balancing your brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), medications can help you manage your mood, emotions, and behavior. While some people can feel better in just a few days or weeks, it may take others a few months to notice improvements.
Unfortunately, many people experience unpleasant side effects while on medication, such as weight changes, stomach issues, difficulty urinating, sexual problems, or even thoughts of suicide. These side effects can make it hard to stick with treatment and may lower your quality of life.
Some patients also find that their medications do not work as expected. They might have to try multiple drugs before finding one that is effective, or they might find they are not experiencing full relief. While medications work well for some, others may want to pursue alternative solutions, such as TMS therapy.
Like medication, TMS works to improve your brain function—but in a different way. TMS stimulates your brain using electromagnetic waves and is an FDA-cleared non-surgical procedure, making it a very attractive treatment option for our patients. We recommend NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy and offer it at our clinic for qualifying patients with major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder with anxiety.
NeuroStar TMS is quick and convenient. It involves very brief sessions over a 7-week treatment program at our clinic. There is no downtime necessary after each treatment, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine. For many patients, this is one of the most convenient and safe treatments available.
In numerous clinical research studies, NeuroStar TMS has been proven to be very safe. Over 7.4 million treatment sessions have been performed in over 202,000 patients. The most common side effects reported were mild, minor, temporary, and were easily managed using over-the-counter medication. When evaluating between medication and TMS therapy, many patients find that the lack of systemic side effects associated with medications makes TMS therapy an attractive choice.
Our specialists can help you understand the difference between TMS therapy and medication in treating mental health conditions and assist you in choosing the best treatment for your needs. Take the next step—schedule your consultation for NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy at Chrysalis Psychiatry today.
