How TMS Functions As An Effective Treatment For Depression

According to an op-ed in Suntrics (Jan 10, 2021), it is estimated that at least 40 million adults in the USA deal with different types of depression. Though, less than 40% of sufferers are receiving treatment. This startling statistic certainly puts things into perspective, given the seriousness of depression. The US Department of Health and Human Services defines depression as follows: ‘…Depression is a common and serious mental health condition affecting the lives many of many Americans. People with depression may also struggle to access adequate treatment.’

There are multiple categories related to depression, including suicide, mental illness, underage drinking, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse. For all these reasons, it’s important to tackle depression with the urgency it deserves. WebMD Dr. D. Fulghum Bruce lists several commonly prescribed treatment options for depression.

Medication is often the first line of defense and can take the form of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) include Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq, and Fetzima. In both cases, these medications are designed to affect the way that serotonin is used by the brain. Other options such as MAOIs and TCAs are also available, albeit with additional side effects.

TMS Efficacy as a Treatment Option for Depression 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment regimen for stimulating neural activity in the brain. The TMS devices do not operate internally; they operate outside of the body to bring about changes in the way that neural activity takes place. It involves the use of powerful magnetic fields to target specific areas of the brain thought to be responsible for depression. Since this is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure, no anesthesia is required with TMS.

Unlike other procedures, there is minimal risk of complications. In fact, the most commonly reported side effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a headache that typically stops after treatment has been discontinued. On rare occasions, seizures have been reported, meaning that patients with a predisposition towards neurologic issues including head injuries and epilepsy should avoid this form of treatment.

Multiple studies over the years have concluded that repetitive TMS is an effective treatment for depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, ‘If rTMS works for you, your depression symptoms may improve or go away completely. Symptom relief may take a few weeks of treatment. The effectiveness of rTMS may improve as researchers learn more about techniques, the number of stimulations required and the best sites in the brain to stimulate.’

TMS depression treatments should be tailored around individual needs. Many patients respond well to medication and therapy, but MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) tends to be resistant to traditional methodology. For this, TMS has been shown to be an efficacious treatment option for depression.

Identifying the Right Form of Psychotherapy

The Cleveland Clinic defined psychotherapy as follows, ‘… Often the first formal treatment is recommended for depression. Called ‘therapy’ for short, the word psychotherapy actually involves a variety of treatment techniques.’ By digging into the ideation, emotions, and behavior of people with depression, psychotherapy attempts to understand, identify, and treat the underlying stressors. It is geared towards helping the patient take control of their lives, and/or cope better with depression. 

Naturally, there are different types of therapy sessions that individuals or couples can undergo. These include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy. With any therapeutic approach, it’s important to identify goals ahead of time. A thorough review process of the therapy is needed to assess the efficacy of the treatment option.

Surgical Procedures for Treating Depression 

There are many different forms of surgical treatment options for depression. One such option is NMD, otherwise known as neurosurgery for mental disorders. Of course, this is an extremely dangerous procedure with severe risks. It is only advised if all other treatment options have failed. Other surgical procedures that are commonly used and highly effective include Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

This treatment regimen requires the surgeon to transmit electric currents through the brain. These generate a surge of electrical activity, known as a seizure. The purpose of such is to ameliorate symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression. General anesthesia is required to administer ECT to patients.

MD Helen S. Mayberg penned a medical article about Deep Brain Stimulation and how it provides useful information about depression and treatments. This is true of major depressive disorder when treated with DBS. When patients do not respond to psychotherapy and traditional medication (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, et al), DBS can be used on treatment-resistant depression.

Medical scholars liken DBS to a pacemaker for the brain. While the science behind the methodology remains shrouded in mystery, the results are clear. DBS works. It is thought that the stimulation harmonizes communication between parts of the brain that are out of sync with one another.  

Overall, patients with depression must discuss the best path forward with their physician, primary caregiver, or medical professional. A cocktail of treatments may be more effective than a single treatment option. It all depends on the diagnosis and the severity of the depression.