Is TMS Right for You? 6 Signs Your Depression Needs Advanced Treatment

Is your depression treatment-resistant? Or perhaps you would love to find ways to manage it without relying on medication. Learn more about an FDA-approved treatment that could stabilize your mood and boost energy, even in the absence of medication.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to increase brain activity.

In depression, TMS stimulates areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and executive function, specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, helping improve communication between neurons and potentially improving mood and other symptoms of depression over time.

There’s no need for surgery or anesthesia. During a session, the device is placed near the scalp and can send magnetic pulses through your skull without causing pain or discomfort.

TMS is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is often recommended for people who either want to eliminate medication side effects or haven’t seen significant improvement with antidepressants.

If you are looking to try something new and well-researched for its effectiveness in treating depression, read on, as our experts at VP MindCare share six signs that your depression may need a more advanced treatment.

1. You have already tried multiple antidepressants with no relief

One of the clearest signs of treatment-resistant depression is trying different medications with little or no improvement. If you have cycled through several medications and still experience persistent symptoms, a more advanced treatment such as TMS may be worth discussing.

TMS can increase blood flow to the prefrontal cortex in treatment-resistant patients and help decrease symptoms.

2. Medication side effects are too much

Not everyone struggles with side effects, but for some, fatigue, emotional numbness, weight changes, or reduced libido negatively impact their quality of life, causing them to stop treatment.

3. Depressive episodes keep returning

If you experience improvement but continue to have recurring depressive episodes, it could be a sign that your current treatment is not fully addressing the condition.

4. Energy and motivation are low

For many, depression doesn’t show up only as sadness. Instead, it can also show up as exhaustion, brain fog, and an inability to stay motivated. Many people struggle with employment and self-care simply because they lack the energy and drive to do the things they once could.

If that’s the case for you, it could be a sign that it’s time to explore additional options for treating your depression.

5. Therapy alone doesn’t help with the symptoms

Therapy can be a great place to receive support, understand your patterns, and learn skills, but what if you don’t have the energy to put what you’ve learned into practice? If you feel stuck or even ashamed that you can’t do much with the knowledge you are gaining, it could be a sign to combine therapy with another treatment.

6. Medication doesn’t feel sustainable

Not everyone can or wants to take medications for prolonged periods of time. Medical conditions, pregnancy concerns, or simply personal preferences are enough reasons to look for effective, drug-free treatments for depression.

Learn more about TMS

If your medications don’t work or you can’t tolerate them, this isn’t the end of the road. TMS has been proven to be safe and effective, even for people with treatment-resistant depression. If you would like to learn more and find out whether you are a good candidate, contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Anchorage, Alaska, or Lexington, Kentucky.