 Have you ever seen a commercial advertising a new medication on TV? You know the one where couples are laughing on the beach as the narrator reads the long list of potential side effects (including death)? The word 'side effect' has a negative connotation for many people. It reminds us of all the things that could go wrong or not work as intended. The more commercials we watch or internet stories we read with seemingly never-ending lists of adverse possibilities, the more the term 'side effect' gets lost in translation. Let’s be clear: understanding the potential side effects of a drug or treatment is essential and should never be dismissed or overlooked. However, it’s important to remember that sometimes side effects can actually be helpful. In the case of TMS Therapy vs. antidepressants, the chart below points out the reduced amount of reported side effects when it comes to TMS Therapy. Side Effects of Antidepressants vs. TMS Therapy As you can see, TMS therapy is without many of the side effects typically experienced with antidepressants, such as weight gain, stomach issues, dry mouth, and sexual dysfunction. For some, TMS Therapy may cause headache or nausea, but you should be able to resume your daily activities right after treatment. While antidepressants work for many people, they don't work for everyone and can have significant side effects that impact your quality of life, including insomnia. Now, as new studies about TMS Therapy continue to emerge, there’s one positive side effect we need to add to the list of TMS benefits...improved sleep! TMS Therapy & Sleep DisordersTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is used to treat various mental health conditions — not only depression but insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleep disorders associated with depression. Some sleep disorders and neurological diseases can cause sleep pattern alterations. This can also lead to changes in how responsive your brain is. This is why it is not surprising that rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) is an effective treatment for sleep disorders and sleep disorders caused by neurological diseases. Furthermore, neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and epilepsy are often associated with sleep problems. But a review article from SciMedCentral notes that after rTMS treatment, these conditions usually improve, and the patient's sleep pattern improves. A recent 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine looked at the effect of rTMS on sleep in a group of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The study found that rTMS improved patients' depressive symptoms, mood, and sleep quality! Experience the Positive Effects of TMS at Pacific Mind HealthIf you're struggling with depression and haven't been able to find relief with medication and therapy, TMS may be a good option. It's non-invasive, has few (adverse) side effects, and could help you get your life back on track.
If you're worried about the potential side effects of TMS, remember that sometimes side effects can be positive! And if you have any questions about TMS, we're here to answer them and provide support every step of the way. Begin with our complimentary TMS info session to learn more about the treatment and your insurance coverage options.
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 Sometimes, when you live with depression, it’s not just one big thing. It's all of the little things that can really wear you down and make everyday life challenging. It’s the lingering sadness, anxiety, loss of interest, and general hopelessness that continue to build up and make it difficult to function. With depression, it can feel like life’s simply lost its flavor. Clinical depression is so much more than just having a bad day. In fact, depression is currently the leading cause of disability and poor health worldwide and it’s something that an estimated 1 in 6 Americans deal with each year. Luckily, many will find relief in medications and/or therapy. But what about the 30% of patients who still can’t find relief from their depression symptoms? Is TMS Therapy Right For You? Schedule a TMS Therapy Assessment and Informational Session with Our Psychiatrist Today. For that one-third of people, the symptoms continue to linger and build. They likely worsen over time and the heavy veil of depression makes it harder and harder to function. When patients don’t experience relief from medications, TMS Therapy offers new hope. TMS is a non-invasive therapy that involves no medication and has very few side effects”, said Dr. Joshua Flatow. “When medications fail to proved relief for patents, TMS therapy might be more effective than trying yet another antidepressant medication.” TMS Therapy is an FDA cleared in 2008 and patients have been treated for major depression with TMS since the mid-1990s. This treatment uses MRI strength magnetic pulses that are delivered several times per second into the front part of the head.
If you or a loved one suffers from depression, you might be wondering how anyone can really relate to what you’re going through. You want to get better, but it’s hard to see hope when you are living life in a fog. Maybe you’ve tried antidepressants without relief. Maybe the side effects from your current medications are weighing you down. Maybe the uncertainty, fear, and stress surrounding COVID-19 have taken a toll on your emotional wellness… We understand. Our team is here for you. Whether it’s through medication, psychotherapy, or TMS Therapy, our team at Pacific Mind Health is dedicated to treating each individual with compassion while focusing on patient safety, comfort, and wellness. Untreated mental illnesses can cause frequent stress and affect your overall health and happiness in life.
You don’t have to walk through your struggles alone. At Pacific Mind Health, we’re committed to helping patients in our community find renewed hope and health through restorative state-of-the-art treatments like TMS Therapy. We’re here to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment to put you on the path to healing so can live your best life. Schedule your TMS Consultation today by connecting with our care coordinator 562-279-0180 or fill out our form |
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