Magnetism to the Mind: TMS - The Breakthrough Therapy for Persistent Depression

The rates of depression in the United States are rising. According to a recent Gallup poll from February 2023, at least 29% of American adults report a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lifetimes. At the time of the survey, close to 18% of Adults in the U.S. report a current depression diagnosis. So why the rise?

There is no easy answer to this question. While depression is a heavily studied topic, there is no one answer as to why some experience depression while others do not. What researchers do know is that multiple factors, including genetics, environment, psychology, and even biology, play a role. No one is immune.

Goolsby and Associates, located in Gainesville, GA, is a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS leader. Our mission is to deliver compassionate care to those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. We know that depression impacts your life, and we want to help be a part of your healing. Read on for more information about TMS, a groundbreaking FDA-approved treatment option for those who have treatment-resistant depression.

What is depression?

It is the experience of feelings of sadness, grief, loneliness, bouts of sleeplessness or over-sleeping, and even loss of interest in activities that once brought you joy. However, the distinction between typical feelings such as those listed above and a depression diagnosis is the length of time and persistence, accompanied by other feelings apart from sadness.

Depression is a mood disorder that requires a medical diagnosis and is not something you can determine on your own. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a depression diagnosis fits the criteria if an individual has five symptoms of depression each day for at least two weeks. Before we go any further, please get in touch with your healthcare provider for more information if this sounds like you.

Depression can look different depending upon your life stage. For example, children may experience episodes of anxiety and crankiness, while teenagers can appear sulky, restless, or even have bouts of excessive sleep, known as hypersomnia. Adults may experience low mood, low libido, and even gastrointestinal issues. Clearly, depression can look different at different stages in life, so it is essential to know the signs and ask for help should you experience symptoms like these listed.

What are the treatment options for depression?

There are two main treatment options for depression: medication and psychotherapy. Typically speaking, one or both of these can be tremendous when it comes to helping those with depression. It may take a few different medications to find the best fit for you, and you may engage with multiple talk therapists until you discover the best fit. We encourage you to seek all avenues of support when it comes to treating your depression.

As effective as medication and therapy can be, for some, their depression continues to linger and does not improve with medication. These cases are known as treatment-resistant depression.

What is persistent depression?

For our discussion, we are defining persistent depression as treatment-resistant depression. While there is no solid clinical definition of treatment-resistant depression, researchers generally define this term as depression that lingers despite the use of various forms of antidepressant medications.

Treatment-resistant depression is a type of major depressive disorder that is resistant to typical treatment modalities, thus making transcranial magnetic stimulation a potential treatment option.

What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS?

TMS is a nonsurgical and noninvasive treatment option for treatment-resistant depression that has been approved by the FDA. Repetitive magnetic pulses are delivered to the brain, stimulating nerve cells in areas of low activity.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation devices work by placing a coil against the scalp. Magnetic pulses are then delivered, which help awaken the areas of the brain impacted by depression and create more activity to help restore and increase activity. Sessions last 5 to 30 minutes and are done in the safety of our offices. There is no downtime after the sessions, so you can get on with your day.

TMS utilizes the principles of magnetism and electricity. Your brain is a literal electrical machine as the neurons, the most common type of brain cell, use electricity to send messages to your brain and body. TMS uses a magnetic coil to help stimulate electricity to areas of the brain, and this power can help transform your depression.

TMS is not new.

While TMS may sound like science fiction, we can assure you this is a treatment option that has been well studied since the 1980s, with clearance from the FDA as a viable option for the treatment of depression in 2008.

Electrophysiology and bioelectric theory, the foundations of TMS, arose in the late 1700s when scientists realized that nerves carry electrical impulses. From there, it was only a matter of time until an understanding of electromagnetic fields and their impacts on the brain were noted. This information evolved with more understanding and knowledge until the father of TMS as we know it, Dr. Anthony Baker, made the very first TMS device. The 1990s ushered in a new era for TMS as it was found to be an effective and safe treatment for depression. TMS was approved for the treatment of depression in Canada in 2003, and the U.S. followed suit in 2008. So, while it may seem like a far-fetched idea to use magnets and electricity to treat depression, this discovery is well over 200 years in the making.

Does insurance cover TMS?

Many insurance plans cover TMS treatment. For more information, please contact our office. We can work with you and your insurance provider to determine whether coverage is available.

How do I know if TMS is right for me?

If your depression is resistant to treatment or you find that what once worked for you no longer does, you may be a candidate for TMS. Please reach out to our office for more information. We can work with you and your current care team to assess your needs and see if this is a viable solution for you.

Remember, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Goolsby and Associates want to see you healthy and thriving. Our care team is here to help you every step of the way.

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