If you’re one of the millions of Americans with major depression, you know that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all disorder. And just as each person has different symptoms and feelings associated with depression, not every treatment method works equally well for everyone.
At Vital TMS Therapy in Washington, DC, and Chevy Chase, Maryland, our team of psychiatrists understands that finding the right combination of therapies for major depression isn’t easy. If you’re struggling to find an effective, long-term treatment for your depression and therapy and medication hasn’t worked well for you, we can help.
Learn more about how TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) — a noninvasive alternative — works to alter your brain chemistry and provide long-term treatment for depression.
About major depression
Most people experience times when they feel down or blue. Often, going out with friends, taking a break, or watching a funny movie can help you snap out the sad times.
When you have major depression, however, you have more than a case of the blues. This mental health disorder affects about one in 15 American adults and can cause feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, disinterest, and sadness that may last for weeks, months, or even years.
Children and teens develop depression, too. And even when people seem to be managing on the outside, depression can affect internal well-being and cause physical repercussions. People develop depression for different reasons, including genetics, hormone imbalances, trauma or stress, physical illness, or changes in brain chemistry.
Traditional treatments for major depression
A combination of talk therapy and medication that addresses the neurobiological origins of this mood disorder are common treatment methods. The problem with these methods is that they aren’t equally effective for everyone. Some people struggle to keep their symptoms in check even after aggressive dosing or more intense therapy.
While it can be frustrating to try treatment after treatment, the good news is that once you find what works for you, about 90% of those with major depression find sustainable relief. If you’ve tried traditional treatments and they haven’t worked for you, it’s time to explore the option of TMS therapy.
TMS: A better way to treat major depression
Scientists have discovered that people with major depression often have lower brain activity levels in a specific part of the brain — the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. TMS therapy uses magnetic energy to stimulate nerve cells in this part of your brain.
When these cells are stimulated, they release neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which improve and stabilize mood. TMS treatments have proved especially effective at helping patients with treatment-resistant depression.
TMS treatments are noninvasive and painless, and they don’t come with the unwanted side effects that many medications bring.
Advanced TMS therapy
Stimulating magnetic pulses to the brain may sound intimidating, but we can assure you that the treatments are easy and painless. At Vital TMS Therapy, you relax in a comfortable treatment chair with the TMS coil resting above your head.
The technology stimulates your brain without any invasive contact, and we track your results as treatment occurs to ensure optimal results. You can expect your appointment to take about 20 minutes, and there’s no downtime required.
At Vital TMS Therapy, we use CloudTMS® technology. This advanced, cloud-based repetitive TMS machine allows us to access data stored in the cloud, making it easier for us to tailor treatments to give you the care you need.
Long-term treatment for depression
If you have major depression that hasn’t responded to traditional therapies, TMS therapy may be the right solution for you. TMS therapy is FDA-approved as a treatment modality for major depressive disorder.
Our patients have had excellent results using TMS therapy. Most patients, including those with treatment-resistant depression, experience life-altering symptom relief by the end of their treatment cycle — without the risk of adverse side effects that medications bring.
There’s hope for your major depression. Find out how the team at Vital TMS Therapy can help by calling 202-335-4114 or requesting a consultation online.
