TMS Therapy: A Safe and Effective Alternative To Antidepressants

According to ongoing surveys and research, more and more Americans are suffering from depression. And that number is only increasing. The latest data shows that at least 19 million adults in the US suffer from at least one major depressive episode each year. And the actual number is likely higher than reported. 

In fact, only 60-70% of individuals with depression respond positively to antidepressant medication, according to the American Psychiatric Association. That leaves many people hoping their medication will work but not experiencing much benefit.

And that can be disheartening. Afterall, you’re seeking help and following your clinician’s advice, so why isn’t the medication working?

If that’s you, don’t lose hope. There are alternatives to antidepressants that can help relieve your depression symptoms. And one of the safest and most effective alternative treatments for depression is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS therapy for depression.

How Antidepressants Work and Their Limitations

Antidepressants work by altering chemical levels in your brain that regulate mood, appetite, and sleep to reduce depression symptoms. While they may not work for you, there are a couple of reasons antidepressants are a popular first choice for depression treatment.

• When they work, they work well. Antidepressants effectively treat depression symptoms like sadness, fatigue, and disinterest. They can actually help save your life if you suffer from an extreme case of major depressive disorder (MDD)! 

 

• They are widely available. Many antidepressants are well-known and available from general practitioners and psychiatrists.

 

• They are typically safe to use. Most antidepressants are generally safe but carry black box warnings ordered by the FDA. That’s because some younger individuals may have an increase in suicidal thoughts. Rest assured, at Nexus of Hope, we’ll make sure you get medications that are right for you and keep tabs on any side effects or dosage changes.

There are also limitations to antidepressants. You may want to consider them with help from your medical practitioner. 

The three main limitations of antidepressants include the following:

1. Effectiveness: As previously mentioned, antidepressant medication may not work for you. As many as 30% of individuals with major depression don’t respond to antidepressant medication, even after trying multiple prescription types. 
2. Side effects: Antidepressant medication can have significant side effects, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and gastrointestinal problems. These side effects can impact your quality of life and may lead to medication noncompliance.
3. Delayed onset: Antidepressant medication typically takes several weeks to take effect. That means you may have to wait a significant amount of time before seeing symptom improvement. This delay can be frustrating and discourage you from continuing with medication treatment. This can be frustrating. It can even be dangerous, particularly if you experience severe depression or suicidal thoughts. 

It’s important to note that at Nexus of Hope, we understand the pros and cons of medication. We stand behind its efficacy for some patients with depression. Yet, if they don’t work for you, there are alternatives to antidepressants. 

TMS Therapy for Depression: A Safe Alternative to Antidepressants

TMS Therapy provides a safe and effective alternative treatment for depression, primarily if you have not found relief from antidepressants. This form of depression therapy is non-invasive, so nothing enters your body or bloodstream, meaning little to no side effects. Furthermore, TMS has a 70% success rate, even for hard-to-treat depression. 

TMS therapy for depression is an advanced treatment now available to patients like you in the Burnsville area. This innovative treatment uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain. Those pulses are directed to the prefrontal cortex at the spot where depression affects your brain. Because TMS uses magnetic pulses rather than chemicals, you may feel relief quickly and without side effects.

If you have not responded to antidepressants, TMS therapy is an effective treatment alternative. The benefits of TMS can be long-lasting, which means you may experience sustained symptom relief for up to a year following treatment.

Nexus of Hope offers the latest TMS technology with our Nexstim Horizon 3 system. This advanced system uses precision-guided stimulation to target specific areas of your brain associated with depression. The result is a highly effective treatment with minimal side effects.  

Benefits Of TMS Therapy Over Medication

TMS is a safe and effective alternative treatment for depression, especially if you have not responded to medication or other forms of therapy.

Other benefits include the following:

1. Non-invasive: TMS is a non-invasive procedure that does not require surgery or incision. The magnetic pulses used in TMS pass through your skull and into your brain without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue.
2. Fewer side effects: Compared to antidepressant medication, TMS has fewer side effects. You may experience mild discomfort or headache during or after the procedure, but these side effects are generally mild and short-lived.
3. Targeted treatment: We can customize TMS therapy for depression to your individual needs. We can focus on specific areas of your brain affected by depression in depression, and adjust the strength and frequency of the magnetic pulses based on your response.
4. High success rates: TMS has a success rate of up to 60-70% in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. It also reduces symptoms if you haven’t responded to traditional medication treatments.

Weighing the Benefits: TMS Therapy vs. Antidepressants 

Deciding when to switch from medication to TMS Therapy for depression treatment is a complex decision. When you come to us for help at Nexus of Hope, you get the best care. We provide a comprehensive consultation to ensure you get the ideal treatment to alleviate your symptoms.

Generally speaking, if you have not responded to multiple courses of antidepressant medication or experienced significant side effects, you may be an excellent candidate for TMS therapy for depression.

When it comes to treating depression, both medication and TMS are effective. But TMS has several advantages over medicine, including safety, side effects, and long-term efficacy. 

TMS does not have the systemic side effects of medication and is a safe treatment alternative. The most common side effect is mild to moderate scalp discomfort, which typically resolves within a few days of treatment. More severe side effects, such as seizures, are rare and typically only occur in individuals with a history of seizures or other neurological conditions.

Because TMS can provide long-lasting benefits, you may experience sustained symptom relief for up to one year following treatment. In contrast, medication may lose efficacy over time and require frequent dosage adjustments. 

Find Better Depression Treatment in Minnesota at Nexus of Hope

At Nexus of Hope, we are dedicated to providing compassionate care throughout your treatment journey. We are committed to helping you achieve lasting relief from depression so you can enjoy a better quality of life. 

We work directly with you to create a personalized, holistic treatment plan. It may include medication management or TMS, an alternative treatment for depression. Our therapists will also work with you on lifestyle modifications to do in conjunction with therapy to reduce your symptoms.

Antidepressants have been a staple of depression treatment for many years. At Nexus of Hope, we are proponents of its effectiveness. But we also understand that it may not suit you. That’s why we provide safe and effective alternatives to antidepressants like TMS therapy.

Contact us to learn more about TMS Therapy as an alternative to antidepressants or any of our other depression treatments in Minnesota. We’ll happily answer any of your questions and address all concerns. Living a life free from depression symptoms is only a click or phone call away!

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