Depression is a challenging and often debilitating mood disorder. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and affects how you think and feel every day. This can lead to a variety of other emotional and physical problems.
For example, a lack of interest in daily activities can translate into not taking care of yourself. Depression is also associated with pain, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and appetite changes. First-line treatment often involves antidepressant medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, nutritional improvements, and exercise, each of which has been shown to support the treatment of depression.
For over half of the people taking antidepressants, the medications do not significantly improve symptoms. The more medications you try, the lower the potential that you achieve remission. This is called treatment-resistant depression. Research has shown that up to 83% of people who complete their NeuroStar TMS therapy will experience measurable results, and 62% achieve remission. When you are struggling with depression every day, it is helpful to know how long it takes before my TMS therapy treatments start to work.
Unlike other types of treatment for depression, NeuroStar TMS therapy addresses the condition where it originates, in your brain. The process uses electromagnetic pulses aimed directly at the areas of the brain that control mood to help trigger greater neurological activity so the brain functions the way it was meant to.
Most people will begin to see improvements within the first two to three weeks of treatment. This does not mean you will experience the full effect in that time, only that you will begin to see improvements and changes in mood, fewer days of depression, or an increased willingness to socialize with your friends and family. For some, the people around you notice the results before you do. However, completing the full seven-week course of NeuroStar treatments is essential to experiencing the best chance for long-lasting relief.
Think of it like taking an antibiotic. Your doctor tells you to not stop taking the medication when you start to feel better, or you will likely get sick again. For the best chance at activating the brain synapses needed to support your mood and motivation, you need to complete the full course of treatment.
Most people receive one treatment five days each week for seven weeks, and each treatment lasts roughly 20 minutes. Even though the FDA cleared transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 2008, it Is still relatively unknown compared to talk therapy or antidepressants in the treatment of depression. TMS therapy is also cleared for depression-related anxiety and as an adjunctive treatment for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Because every person is different, some people might need maintenance therapy, and some will not. Several factors influence this, including past treatments, support systems, diet, and exercise. In other cases, you may need TMS maintenance if something happens in life that triggers a depression relapse. TMS is a tool to help manage depression long-term.
During your first NeuroStar TMS session, you are seated in a comfortable chair. A trained healthcare professional operates the TMS device, using the placement and intensity prescribed by your healthcare provider.
TMS is a non-invasive procedure that does not require anesthetic or sedation. This means you can return to your daily activities as soon as the treatment is over. A magnetic coil is placed against your scalp to target the area of the brain responsible for mood. The coil delivers the electromagnetic pulses to the brain, which in turn stimulates nerve cells and leads to greater brain activity.
Most sessions last approximately 20 minutes. Some patients report hearing tapping during the treatment as the electromagnetic pulses are delivered. Others report minor side effects like tooth pain, headache, or skin tingling or pain. These side effects, including the tapping, resolve spontaneously during the day and are generally not experienced after the first week of treatment. NeuroStar TMS therapy is generally well tolerated and an effective treatment option.
We encourage you to call us today for your consultation to discuss your treatment protocol with NeuroStar TMS therapy and how long it will take before TMS therapy starts to work.
Call (310) 246-9110