Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions
- Restlessness or feeling slowed down
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If you have five or more symptoms for two weeks or more, you may suffer from depression.
If you think you may be depressed, it is important to see a doctor or mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment. There are effective treatments available, including medication and psychotherapy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a type of brain stimulation Brandon TMS and Psychiatry uses to treat depression and numerous other mental health concerns. It’s a painless, non-invasive treatment that requires no advance preparation, anesthesia, or recovery time.
Treatments create magnetic energy pulses that can pass through your skull to stimulate brain cells. That stimulation is thought to improve communication between different regions of your brain, which in turn can improve function.
The magnetic pulses used in TMS are the same strength and type used to create MRI images. This technology has been used for many years and is quickly gaining popularity among mental health specialists.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. At Brandon TMS and Psychiatry, it is also used off-label to treat many other mental health conditions. Some of the applications currently approved in European countries include the following:
- Schizophrenia
- Chronic pain
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Nicotine addiction
For traditional transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, 36 sessions of 20 minutes each are recommended.
That works out to daily visits for the first six weeks, then three treatments per week for the seventh week, two treatments per week for the eighth week, and one treatment during the ninth week.
“During your visit, you relax comfortably in the MagVenture treatment chair. Your provider places a cotton cap over your skull with marks as a guide for your exact treatment location,” said Dr. Boris Kawliche.
Dr. Boris Kawliche said, “After your 20 minute session, you can return to normal activities. There are no restrictions on your activity levels and no need for recovery.”
If you have questions about transcranial magnetic stimulation or want information about pricing, insurance coverage, or scheduling concerns, call Brandon TMS and Psychiatry at 813-681-5880 or book a visit online to learn more.
Here are some tips on how to manage depression:
- Talk to someone. Talking to a friend, family member, therapist, or other trusted person can help you feel less alone and can give you support.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help improve your mood and energy levels. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Get enough sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’re more likely to feel depressed. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs can worsen depression symptoms.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Set small, achievable goals that you can build on over time.
- Reward yourself. When you reach a goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy.
- Learn to say no. Don’t overextend yourself. It’s okay to say no to requests that you don’t have the time or energy for.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure to take some time for yourself each day to do something you enjoy. This could be reading, taking a bath, or spending time in nature.
- Seek professional help. If your depression is severe or is not improving with self-care measures, seek professional help. A therapist can teach you coping skills and help you develop a treatment plan.
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