Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising, non-invasive treatment for people with a variety of mental health conditions. TMS is FDA-approved for depression, depression-related anxiety, and as an adjunctive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). NeuroStar TMS therapy is a leading form of TMS therapy.
NeuroStar TMS has gained attention in recent years because it has a relatively low risk profile and high degree of effectiveness. TMS therapy uses electromagnetic fields targeted at areas of the brain responsible for mood. The electromagnetic fields stimulate the brain cells, which has helped to improve the symptoms of depression.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is the No. 1 TMS treatment recommended for people who have not seen improvement with antidepressant medications. Dr. Deirmenjian has over 14 years of experience treating patients with TMS therapy and was an early adopter of TMS therapy for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. To optimize your treatment outcomes, it is important to understand who the best candidates for NeuroStar TMS therapy in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach are.
Good candidates must meet several criteria. First, you must have failed past treatments on antidepressant medications. NeuroStar TMS therapy is not a first-line treatment option. Instead, it is a viable and effective treatment for those who have failed to respond to antidepressant medications. This is called treatment-resistant depression.
Research shows that each time you try a new antidepressant medication, the likelihood of experiencing remission decreases. In a study of patients who completed NeuroStar TMS treatment, researchers found that 83% had measurable improvements in their symptoms, and 62% reported experiencing remission.
This means that 62% of the individuals who completed their treatment would not be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) if they were evaluated by their physician. NeuroStar TMS therapy is only available by prescription and should only be used by an experienced practitioner.
Lifestyle choices and medical situations are other factors that impact whether you are a candidate for this treatment. People who have ferromagnetic or magnetic sensitive metal objects in or around their head and neck should not receive TMS therapy.
This includes medical devices, such as metal plates, cochlear implants, vagus nerve stimulators, and pacemakers. It also includes tattoos that use ferromagnetic-containing ink, permanent body piercings, and bullet fragments. Individuals with a history of seizures, head injury, or other neurological conditions that may increase the risk of seizure, should not receive TMS.
Candidates who usually respond well are generally healthy with a history of uncomplicated depression and have failed to respond to antidepressant medications or other treatment modalities.
Before NeuroStar TMS therapy is prescribed for treatment, you undergo a comprehensive evaluation. This helps your medical provider determine if you are a good candidate and identify factors that may exclude you from receiving TMS treatment.
You will undergo a physical exam, and thorough medication and medical history to identify any contraindications to TMS therapy. It is important to tell your practitioner about your current and past medications, including antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs.
Finally, your practitioner will do a thorough psychiatric assessment of your mental health history, including current symptoms and treatments, how you responded to the treatments, and how long they were used. Each of these factors is considered before recommending NeuroStar TMS therapy for the treatment of depression for people in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach.
There are several benefits to NeuroStar TMS therapy for eligible candidates. The first is that unlike medications or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), NeuroStar is non-invasive, does not require anesthesia or sedation, and does not induce seizures.
Unlike medications that affect your whole body and come with a list of side effects, NeuroStar TMS therapy addresses only a targeted area of the brain. While there are multiple types of antidepressant medications, some of the common side effects can include constipation, fatigue, nausea, erectile dysfunction, and an increased risk of suicide.
Research data show that treatment with NeuroStar TMS therapy has resulted in an 83% response rate in those who had completed their treatment cycle, meaning that 83% of people reported measurable improvements in their symptoms. In addition to this, 62% reported remission. This means that after the treatment cycle was completed, their physician would not have diagnosed them with major depressive disorder.
Treatments with NeuroStar TMS are generally well tolerated and have very few reported side effects. The most consistent side effects are hearing tapping in the area where the treatment is applied, headache, and transient discomfort or pain in your skin or teeth. These symptoms typically do not occur after the first week of treatment.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is offered on an outpatient basis. Daily sessions over several weeks take approximately 20 minutes each time and because there is no anesthesia or sedation, you can return to your daily activities immediately after leaving the office.
Depression is challenging and affects every aspect of your daily life. Without an adequate response to medication or talk therapy, you might have believed there were no treatment options left. Call today to schedule your consultation. Let us determine if you are a candidate for NeuroStar TMS therapy in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach.
Call (310) 246-9110