If you’ve been diagnosed with major depression or another mental health disorder, you already know these conditions are complex and sometimes difficult to treat. A physical condition can also lead to problems with chronic pain that may result in depression and anxiety, which can worsen your pain. It’s a frustrating and even life-threatening loop to be trapped within.
At Vital TMS Therapy in Washington, DC, our expert team specializes in successfully treating mental health conditions such as major depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
We’ve found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an effective treatment option for many of our patients who have not responded to traditional therapies in the past. TMS is painless, noninvasive, and FDA approved. Best of all, it meets our rigorous standards for safety and efficacy.
Understanding major depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. It’s true that feeling down or sad temporarily following a personal or professional loss is part of being human. Major depression, however, is a serious condition that’s much more concerning than the temporary “blue feelings” most of us experience occasionally.
Major depression can cause overriding negative emotions much of the time, such as anger, extreme sadness, and a feeling of worthlessness or hopelessness. It can alter your daily routine to the point that getting through the most basic tasks, such as climbing out of bed, requires a monumental effort.
Successful treatment for major depression often requires a combination of therapies. Unfortunately, many patients don’t respond to more traditional therapies such as antidepressant medication and talk therapy.
We’re impressed with our patients’ response to TMS therapy. For many, it’s become a welcome solution for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other life-altering conditions.
What is TMS therapy?
TMS uses rapid magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted nerve cells in your brain that control mood. With this action, TMS helps boost the release of naturally occurring chemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, that can stabilize and lift your mood. It’s a natural alternative to medication therapy which attempts to do the same.
We use the most advanced treatment system available, CloudTMS®, for maximum benefit to our patients.
TMS therapy is also quite effective for:
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine headaches
It’s also proven beneficial for addiction treatment. There are no electrodes or injections required with TMS.
What can I expect during a TMS treatment?
During a treatment, you’ll be asked to sit upright in a comfortable chair for about 40 minutes as your TMS specialist passes the TMS device over targeted regions of your head. You may hear a few clicking noises from the machine, but it’s overall relatively quiet. This means you’re free to chat, watch television, or just relax during your session.
Schedule an appointment at Vital TMS Therapy today for more details about this innovative, safe, and effective therapy. Call the office or book your visit online.
