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Rising rates of depression and steady numbers seeking treatment have resulted in an increased number of people experiencing depression without successful treatment. There are a variety of treatment options for people with depression, including psychotherapy, medication, exercise, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Our team can help you understand the differences in side effects and effectiveness between Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach NeuroStar TMS therapy vs. other treatments.
What Are the Side Effects?
Side effects are unintended reactions that happen as a result of ongoing therapeutic interventions. The type of side effects you experience can vary widely depending on the type of treatment you are receiving. The side effects you experience between NeuroStar TMS Therapy vs. other treatments in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach is part of making a decision about treatment.
Exercise
The side effects associated with exercise are minimal, depending on your underlying medical conditions. For example, if you have a heart condition and start intensive exercise too quickly, you could cause heart damage. Depending on the exercise you choose, the equipment can be costly or you may incur monthly charges. If you begin an exercise program without proper training, you may also stress or strain a joint or trigger a repetitive injury, like tennis elbow.
Psychotherapy
There are very few side effects to undergoing talk therapy, also called psychotherapy. If insurance does not cover the cost, ongoing therapy can be costly.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is done under general anesthesia. This means the side effects from ECT can also include the risk of anesthesia. ECT treatment generally causes temporary memory loss and difficulty hearing. You may have trouble remembering events from the weeks before treatment, and those gaps in memory may be permanent.
Immediately after treatment, you can experience confusion that can last several hours, and on the day of treatment, you may have nausea, headache, jaw pain, or muscle pain. During treatment, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, which in rare cases can lead to serious heart problems.
Medication
There are a variety of antidepressant medications on the market, and each has a potential list of side effects that accompany it. Some of the common side effects include constipation that can become life-threatening if not treated, confusion, agitation, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, dry mouth that can lead to tooth decay, erectile dysfunction, hallucinations, and an increased risk of suicide.
NeuroStar TMS Therapy
The most common side effect of NeuroStar TMS therapy is pain or discomfort at the treatment site. Some people experience a tapping sound during the treatment. The pain and discomfort typically resolve quickly after the treatment ends, and most of these side effects do not happen after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with TMS therapy, which is why those with seizure disorder are not good candidates for treatment with NeuroStar TMS.
How Effective Is Treatment?
Deciding between NeuroStar TMS therapy and other treatments for depression in Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach is a combination of weighing the risks and benefits. The best treatments have a low risk of side effects and a high rate of effectiveness.
Exercise
The addition of cognitive behavioral therapy, like exercise, has helped to alleviate symptoms of depression when used alongside other treatments. Physical activity in a wide range of adult populations was highly beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress.
Exercise is an effective approach for all individuals in the management of depression and anxiety. However, the degree of effectiveness is dependent on several factors.
Psychotherapy
Psychological treatments are effective in treating individuals with symptoms of depression. The effectiveness rate depends on the psychological treatment chosen, the severity of your symptoms, your relationship with your therapist, and your personal circumstances. In other words, while it can be very effective, how effective it is depends on several factors outside of your control.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is highly effective for the relief of major clinical depression, and many patients may show substantial improvement when they have uncomplicated but severe depression. ECT is typically used after other treatments have not worked or in individuals who require rapid response because the severity of their condition puts them at risk for suicide.
Medication
In addition to a long list of side effects, antidepressant medications may not work the way we hope. Many with depression do not recover on antidepressant medications, and some antidepressants do not become more effective in severe major depression.
NeuroStar TMS Therapy
In studies using NeuroStar TMS therapy, 83% of patients who completed their treatment cycle saw measurable improvements in their depression symptoms, and 62% experienced remission. This means that 62 out of every 100 patients who completed their NeuroStar treatment cycle would not have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder if they were evaluated by their doctor.
Call Today to Schedule Your Consultation to Discuss Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach NeuroStar TMS Therapy vs. Other Treatments
If you are struggling with depression and are seeking help after medications have not been effective, call our office to schedule a consultation and discover the differences between Beverly Hills, Glendale, and Long Beach NeuroStar TMS Therapy vs. other treatments. We understand the challenges you face with depression and are here to help.