Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is rapidly becoming a popular form of therapy for clinical depression ever since it was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008.
This noninvasive procedure, which uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve the symptoms of depression, has become more effective in recent years as medical professionals discover more innovative techniques and more accurate treatment points, making TMS therapy a viable alternative to traditional methods like medications and electroconvulsive therapy.
Nevertheless, you may be wondering how TMS therapy differs from traditional depression therapy, how successful it actually is, and whether it is a suitable course of treatment for your depression symptoms.
The Key Differences Between TMS Depression and Traditional Therapy
For one thing, TMS therapy is a non-surgical treatment that, unlike other depression therapy like deep brain stimulation, does not require sedation. Nor does TMS have unwanted side effects that come with medications and other conventional depression treatments.
As many as 30 percent of patients with depression are resistant to traditional antidepressants, making TMS therapy a worthwhile alternative. Clinical research has shown that up to 60 percent of patients who were dissatisfied with results from traditional treatments experienced relief from TMS therapy.
Studies also show that the results of TMS therapy last longer after treatment than those from traditional treatments for depression. Whereas medication must be used by patients at defined intervals to avoid the risk of relapse and discontinuation syndrome if stopped, research indicates that the results of TMS therapy persist for at least 12 months in 90 percent of patients.
Also, as a non-invasive, focused therapy, TMS has a higher safety ratio than antidepressants, along with minimal to no side effects. Ingested medications often cause fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and memory loss. On the other hand, TMS is a safe procedure that has milder effects that often disappear moments after the treatment ends with no reported long-term effects.
Best of all, TMS therapy has a high rate of success – as much as 68 percent – compared to 37.5 percent for medication with up to 90 percent of patients noticing partial relief from their significant depression symptoms.
TMS Treatment for Depression in Denver and Lakewood, CO
At Denver Wellness Associates, we are dedicated to providing the guidance, care, and support you need on your journey toward improved well-being and more meaningful and satisfying life. Our services include:
- TMS treatment
- Psychiatric treatment
- Genetic testing for medication matching
- Spravato & ketamine-assisted therapy
- ADHD testing
- Therapy
Our goal is to provide innovative, advanced, and proven treatments through comprehensive care – all under one roof. As such, we offer in-person and telehealth appointments – and are often able to schedule appointments within two weeks. Our providers typically treat clients between the ages of 5-60. However, please call about your individual circumstance.
The comprehensive psychiatric care we provide includes individual, family, and group therapy, as well as innovative treatments designed to address even the most difficult-to-treat, entrenched issues.
If you have questions about the psychiatric services we offer at Denver Wellness Associates, please call or text us at (720) 724-3668 or email us at [email protected] for more information. You can also request an appointment now. We have two convenient locations, in Denver and Lakewood, Colorado, making it easy to get the mental health care you need.