Depression can feel like a constant invisible weight that impacts every aspect of your life. It can make mundane daily tasks and even activities you once enjoyed feel heavy. For some, traditional treatments such as antidepressants do not seem to work.
As one of the most common mental health conditions, you are not alone in your experience of depression, and you should not have to cope with it on your own. At The Holiner Psychiatric Group, our professional team is here to offer advanced treatment options that help you regain a sense of emotional balance. TMS therapy is an innovative way to treat depression that is safe and effective for those who have not had success with other methods. We want you to feel in control of your mental health, and we are here to help you understand your options for treatment. Let us explore the science behind TMS and depression, and contact us today to learn more about how TMS therapy works.
Depression is a common yet complex mental health disorder that influences how you think, feel, and act. Symptoms of depression include:
If you are struggling with one or more of these symptoms, you may be wondering about the scientific causes of depression and if TMS might be an effective treatment for you.
While the exact causes of depression are not fully understood, research has identified certain biological factors that play a role in the formation of this mood disorder. Depression is associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which help regulate mood, energy, and motivation. When there is a deficiency in these neurotransmitters, the brain becomes susceptible to depressive symptoms.
Science has also identified alterations in brain structure as a potential cause of depression. Certain brain structures that are involved in mood regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, may be smaller in those with depression. The amygdala, which processes emotions such as fear and sadness, may also become overactive in those with this condition.
Other biological factors include:
The exact mechanisms underlying depression may be different for everyone, and these complexities and uncertainties can make this condition more difficult to treat. Yet, as the body of scientific knowledge on mood disorders like depression expands, new treatment options such as TMS therapy emerge.
For those still searching for a scientific way to relieve depression, TMS therapy may be your solution. It is a noninvasive treatment that administers electromagnetic waves through the scalp to stimulate regions of the brain involved in mood control. By directly targeting the specific structures that may cause depressive symptoms, this FDA-cleared therapy treats depression at its source.
The specific parameters of TMS therapy can be tailored to your mental health needs. For example, low-frequency pulses can help quiet overactive areas such as the amygdala, while high-frequency pulses reawaken underactive regions such as the prefrontal cortex. We can adjust these frequencies and the placement of coils to address your unique symptoms.
TMS is administered in frequent and consistent sessions that support the brain’s healing ability over time for gradual and long-lasting results. You will come to our office five days per week for about seven weeks, and each session will take less than 30 minutes. This treatment harnesses the brain’s natural ability to adapt and rewire itself to form healthier connections, also known as neuroplasticity.
If medications have not worked for you, TMS therapy may offer the relief you have been searching for. This drug-free, noninvasive procedure could help your brain heal and regain control through scientific, evidence-based treatment. Our team is here to provide effective and personalized solutions for your mental health. Contact The Holiner Psychiatric Group today to learn more about the science behind TMS and depression and find out if this treatment is right for you.