TMS is an Antidepressant Alternative for Treating Depression

Mental health professionals often recommend antidepressants as the first defense against depression. Although they help treat depression, they are not effective for everyone. For some, the adverse effects are too much to bear. In addition, sometimes individuals may not react well to therapy with antidepressants. When this occurs, it may be necessary to look into antidepressant alternatives, such as TMS therapy.

The importance of TMS as an antidepressant alternative

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown to be an effective and innovative therapy for major depression. TMS treatment is an option for those who have tried antidepressants without success or have had severe adverse effects.

Although antidepressants have helped many people recover from Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, they are not without their share of side effects. Almost every medication has some unwanted side effects. The majority of antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Side effects from SSRIs might affect up to 40 percent of individuals.

Upon starting antidepressant therapy, physical symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, muscle pains, nausea, skin rashes, and diarrhea may appear. These effects are often moderate and short-lived. In research published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics, the early symptoms of these medications were headache and nausea.

Sleep Disruptions

There is the possibility that other symptoms may appear as well while receiving therapy. Anxiety and trouble sleeping are frequent adverse reactions to antidepressants. Insomnia, night terrors, and lucid dreaming are a few manifestations of this disorder. Migraine headaches are yet another possible negative consequence. It is essential to exercise care while using antidepressants with migraine treatments since both of these classes of drugs raise serotonin levels.

Ineffective meds

Some people develop resistance to SSRIs, which is a further limitation of antidepressants. Their depression persists despite treatment with antidepressants. It is relatively unusual for the initial therapy to be ineffective, and about 40 to 50 percent of people do not respond to the first prescribed antidepressant.

Results from TMS Therapy

Patients who have tried conventional therapy, such as SSRIs, and who have suffered from the side effects of antidepressants may want to consider trying something else. Patients with major depressive depression have a safe and effective therapeutic option in TMS.

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized TMS for the treatment of depression. When compared to SSRIs, it has far fewer adverse side effects. In most cases, patients will only have minimal adverse effects. Studies have indicated that TMS is safe and effective for treatment-resistant depression, with very few reported adverse effects. TMS therapy's most frequent negative effect is transient pain or discomfort at the treatment site or nearby. This average side effect usually disappears within the first week of treatment.

The success rate of TMS is also relatively high. Patients who underwent the TMS treatment process saw a significant reduction in symptoms, with 37 percent showing complete remission of depression symptoms. This data indicates that TMS is effective in treating severe depression.

In summary

Researching an antidepressant alternative like TMS is a good idea if you or a loved one are experiencing side effects from antidepressants or are not getting better. Do not hesitate to contact a psychiatrist if you have any more inquiries. Your doctor will recommend the best course of therapy for you. Call us today to learn more or schedule an evaluation appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.

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