Treatment-Resistant Depression: Alternative Options for Finding Relief
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If you or someone you care about has depression, you are not alone. Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the country and can significantly interfere in daily activities.
In 2020, an estimated 21 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This represents 8.4% of all U.S. adults.
While depression is treatable for many people, other patients – about 30-40% – are considered “treatment-resistant.” This means they have experienced at least two unsuccessful trials of antidepressant medication.
Treatment-resistant patients are often left feeling hopeless or left behind. What they may not realize is that there are treatment methods beyond medication, including BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS
), an FDA-cleared, noninvasive option for depression, anxious depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and smoking addiction.
Here are five things to know about treatment-resistant depression and how BrainsWay Deep TMS can help:
1. What does treatment-resistant depression look like?
Depression symptoms can vary among individuals but commonly include extended periods of sadness, lack of happiness, hopelessness, drastic weight changes when not dieting, erratic sleep patterns, reduced self-confidence, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, suicidal ideation, and excessive guilt.
2. What can patients do when depression medications do not work?
When medications and therapy do not work, there is another option: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This is a noninvasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic pulses to regulate the neural activity of brain structures found to be associated with depression.
Currently, there are two types of TMS available: traditional TMS and the more advanced BrainsWay Deep TMS. Both types have been FDA-cleared to treat depression.
3. What is Deep TMS?
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, or Deep TMS, is a noninvasive treatment process developed by BrainsWay that helps alleviate symptoms related to certain mental health and addiction conditions. It is a clinically proven brain stimulation procedure that uses magnetic fields to activate neural networks in the brain. Currently, BrainsWay Deep TMS is FDA-cleared to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), anxious-depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and smoking addiction in the U.S.
Each treatment session involves sitting comfortably in a chair in your healthcare provider’s office and wearing a cushioned helmet containing a patented magnetic coil for approximately 20 minutes. BrainsWay Deep TMS treatment does not cause systemic side effects and patients can drive themselves after sessions.
BrainsWay Deep TMS has significant advantages that address limitations of existing traditional depression treatments. It is clinically proven to help many patients who do not respond to antidepressants or psychotherapy, and it has none of the systemic side effects associated with medication.
4. Does Deep TMS Work?
Numerous clinical studies in reputable peer-reviewed journals have found that BrainsWay Deep TMS treatment is successful in alleviating symptoms of mental health conditions and offering patients relief.
In real-world practice settings, the majority of treatment-resistant depression patients have benefitted from Deep TMS. Among patients who completed 30 treatment sessions, nearly three in four achieved a clinical response and nearly one in two achieved remission.
5. How much does Deep TMS cost?
Treatment for depression and anxious depression is broadly covered in the U.S. by both major private health insurers and Medicare. Coverage for OCD is increasing, with numerous insurers covering Deep TMS treatment for OCD.
The key for any patient is knowledge. Know what your options are beyond medication and therapy. According to a recent article published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA): “TMS should be considered as first-line treatment for moderate to severe major depressive disorder.”
As data continues to grow for the number of people living with depression, coupled with the percentage of depression patients who are considered treatment-resistant, it is critical for depression patients to be aware of all of their options, including BrainsWay’s noninvasive, Deep TMS treatment.
Depression can steal too many important moments in life from patients. Don’t miss another moment – ask your doctor about the benefits of Deep TMS for treatment-resistant depression and anxious depression.
Click here to find a Deep TMS provider near you.
The news and editorial staff of the Bay Area News Group had no role in this post’s preparation.
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