What is Depression?

Symptoms of depression can come in many forms. Bouts of depression can be spurred from any number of different things, from positive interactions to negative ones. Being with a loved one, a friend, or colleague that suffers from depression can be difficult at times, patience and understanding are key to their recovery. There are numerous telltale signs to watch out for when encountering someone with depression and should be kept in mind when trying to assist someone through their hardship.

The most common symptoms of depression are:

At its worst, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, behavior, and attempts. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, making suicide more deadly than car accidents.

How is depression treated?

Depression is a complex mental health issue with numerous variables and types, each one requiring a unique treatment plan. The leading treatments for depression are therapeutic, pharmacological, and brain stimulation therapies.

Therapeutic Treatments

When Therapy and Medication Are Not Enough

Sometimes depression is so severe and the patient’s biological make-up resists classic methods. In these cases, more invasive methods may be needed.

Electric Shock Therapy (ECT)

Despite the stigma, ECT is a highly effective and safe treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar mania, aggressive dementia, and catatonia.

Electric shocks are used to induce a mild seizure. The seizure causes changes in brain chemistry, and improvements in mood and mental health functioning can be seen immediately after an ECT session. ECT is administered under general anesthesia.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS uses magnetic waves to activate certain areas of the brain. During a TMS session, patients do not require anesthesia. An electromagnetic coil is placed against the patient’s forehead, and small, electromagnetic pulses are generated through the coil. The pulses pass through the skull and stimulate the area of the brain thought to regulate mood.

Because the electromagnetic pulses and the coil through which they pass can be placed in specific locations, scientists and doctors can move the coil around to certain parts of the brain, making the entire method much more targeted and precise than ECT.

In a large clinical study of patients undergoing TMS treatment for the first time, 14% of patients experienced a remission of symptoms after one session. After the second session, that number rose to 30%.

Despite its commonality, severity, and economic and societal consequences, depression can be treated and cured. After a bout of depression, many go on to make a full and life-long recovery. Although some may experience a relapse even with treatment, most do not. Only about twenty percent of people who experience depression and take preventative measures will experience a relapse in symptoms.

If you are one of the 264 million people around the world who suffers from depression, you know what kind of an impact it has on your daily life. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is the leading cause of disability globally, but the good news is that mental health treatment for depression is readily available. While treatment for depression traditionally involves medication and psychotherapy, a noninvasive technology called transcranial magnetic stimulation offers new hope.

What Is Depression?

Major depressive disorder is a medical illness that changes the way you think, feel, and behave. For a diagnosis, symptoms must last two weeks or longer and affect your ability to function normally in your environment. Doctors will want to rule out physical conditions before treating the patient. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and they vary among individuals. Look for signs such as these:

• Lack of interest in things you enjoyed in the past
• Feelings of sadness
• Appetite changes
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Trouble thinking or making decisions
• Irritability or anger
• Restlessness or inability to get things done
• Thoughts of suicide

Although depression can occur during any age, it usually shows up in the middle of adolescence or early adulthood. It is more common in women than men, and studies suggest that one in three women will experience at least one episode of major depressive disorder. When a parent, child, or sibling has the condition, other family members have approximately a 40% risk of being diagnosed with depression.

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

TMS is a noninvasive mental health treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to stimulate the depressed parts of the brain. It may supplement medication and psychotherapy or replace an ineffective mental health treatment. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TMS to treat major depressive disorder, and peer-reviewed studies show it relieves symptoms and improves general well-being.

During daily sessions that last less than 20 minutes, an electromagnetic coil attached to a patient’s forehead sends brief pulses to the brain. Patients frequently report feeling 70% to 80% better after four or five weeks, and some say most symptoms have disappeared within six weeks. Side effects are minor but may include a mild headache. Less than 5% of patients stop because of discomfort during treatments, and there is no weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or drowsiness like that associated with antidepressants.

Get TMS Depression Treatment Now

Approximately half of depressed Americans do not get treatment for depression, and others do not respond to the treatment that they do receive. If you have not responded to traditional treatments or do not want to take medications, TMS sessions may be the answer to your problems.

Contact Pulse today to find out more about TMS or schedule an appointment for your first visit.

Updated on 2/1/21