Have you been diagnosed with a depressive disorder and have tried prescription antidepressants but haven’t gotten the results you wanted? Are you still living with debilitating symptoms of depression and are desperate for a solution? If so, you may be living with treatment-resistant depression. Fortunately, there are some effective therapies that are aimed to help people living with treatment-resistant depression get the lasting results they need to live lives of mental well-being. But, before considering these types of therapies, it can be helpful to better understand what treatment-resistant depression is.
What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
The term treatment-resistant depression is used when a person who is diagnosed with a depressive disorder doesn’t respond well to traditional depression treatments. Traditional treatments for depression include prescription medications like antidepressants and individualized behavioral therapies. While traditional treatments work for many people living with depressive disorders, statistics assume that 12-20% of depression patients are living with treatment-resistant depression.
It’s important to note that when a person is living with treatment-resistant depression, they shouldn’t stop using their prescribed medications or other types of traditional therapies when considering alternative therapies. Rather, alternative therapies like TMS can help in combination with traditional therapies. So, in the majority of cases, your mental health provider will suggest that you utilize alternative therapies alongside your traditional medications and treatments.
If you feel that your medications and therapies aren’t working to provide you with relief from depression, you may be living with treatment-resistant depression. And, you might benefit from considering alternative forms of therapy to address this issue.
Considering TMS Therapy
One of the most popular and successful methods of treating treatment-resistant depression is TMS. TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a revolutionary tool in helping people living with treatment-resistant depression to better manage symptoms of depression and establish long-term results. Essentially, TMS uses a machine that is equipped with MRI-like magnets that amplify magnetic pulses through the skull and into the brain. This helps to stimulate the brain in areas that are responsible for mood-regulating chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Thus, helping to stimulate the brain in releasing these chemicals and aiding in the process of managing depressive disorder symptoms.
The majority of patients can experience symptom relief after the first few TMS sessions. And, can experience the symptom relief of TMS on a long-term basis.
The Benefits of Using TMS
There are a number of benefits to choosing TMS to address symptoms of treatment-resistant depression including:
- it’s completely non-invasive
- no downtime after sessions
- no risky side-effects
- entirely outpatient
- no sedatives required
Choosing TMS Therapy for Depression at Delray Beach Psychiatrist
Are you looking to rid the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression in your life? TMS can help you break free from the holds of depression when other treatments aren’t working. Delray Beach Psychiatrist offers TMS therapy on an outpatient basis for people struggling. Find out more about what to expect and if you’re a good candidate for this type of therapy on our website.
The post What is Treatment-Resistant Depression and What Can You do About It? appeared first on Dr. Raul J. Rodriguez.
