An alternative treatment for depression. TMS Therapy is safe and without the side effects often associated with medications.
Major depression is a common and serious medical illness affecting more than 13 million Americans, or approximately 6.6 percent of the population in a given year. Unlike the normal ups and downs of everyday life, Major Depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and even physical health. Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. often impairing social, academic and work functioning and causing significant emotional distress. Depression is the most predominant illness within the mental health arena.
Women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. However, some experts feel that depression in men is significantly under-reported. Major depression can occur at any age, including childhood, the teenage years and adulthood. Major depression has no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. About two-thirds of those who experience an episode of depression will have at least one other episode in their lives. It is not unusual for depression sufferers to have more than one episode in any given year.
Major depression, also known as unipolar depression, is only one type of depressive disorder. Other depressive disorders include dysthymia (a type of chronic depression) and bipolar depression (the depressed phase of bipolar disorder or manic depression). Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder experience both depression and mania in a cyclical fashion. Mania often involves abnormally and persistently elevated mood or irritability, elevated activity, grandiosity, rapid speech and racing thoughts.
Scientists have not yet determined the root cause of major depression. However, there is strong evidence there may be several contributors to the illness. Psychological, biological and environmental factors may all contribute to its development. Whatever the specific causes, research has firmly established that major depression is a bio-chemical-electrical-neuronal disorder. We also know there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain areas associated with mood regulation. If depression is left untreated, there can also be neuronal degeneration. TMS helps the neurons electrically to fire correctly and thus reversing the loss of neuronal biochemicals and cell connections.
Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are three neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells) thought to be involved with major depression. Several theories attempting to explain depression are based on an imbalance of these chemical messengers. It is thought that most antidepressant medications work by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters or by changing the sensitivity of the receptors for these chemicals.
Scientists have also found evidence of a genetic predisposition to major depression. There is an increased risk for developing depression when there is a family history of the illness. Not everyone with a genetic predisposition develops depression, but some people probably have a biological make-up that leaves them particularly vulnerable to developing depression. Life events, such as the death of a loved one, chronic stress, and alcohol and drug abuse, may trigger episodes of depression. Some illnesses such as heart disease and cancer and some medications may also trigger a depressive episode. Often, however, depressive episodes occur spontaneously and are not triggered by a life crisis or physical illness.
The onset of the first episode of major depressive disorder may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild. The symptoms of this disorder characteristically represent a significant change from how a person functioned before the illness. The symptoms of depression may include:
When several of these symptoms occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with ordinary functioning, individuals should seek professional advice and treatment. If left untreated, major depression can lead to attempted suicide.
Low mood, lethargy, apathy, and loss of humor.Overpowering sadness and despairPiercing feelings of shame and guilt.Self-harm, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.Struggling with responsibilities.Self-isolation from social activities.In Major Depressive Disorder, these symptoms persist and the assistance of a mental health professional is needed. Call 1-800-273-TALK
When I met Dr. Hayden, I felt like I was pushing around a metaphorical grocery cart full of fragments, shards, and pieces of myself. Everything was stuffed randomly in bags and boxes. There was never any reason to talk about this scattered mess of components, because how could any good be found in such chaos?
During TMS treatment, I felt like these fragments began to coalesce into whole pieces of me that I thought were lost. Things that had been lost for years returned to me: my creativity, the light I carry for helping people, my intellectual curiosity. Instead of waiting for each day to be over, I found myself singing my toddler to sleep with all the love and peace I deserve.
Following TMS, I find myself no longer standing on the shore watching the ocean and the horizon line. Now, I have access to the space in the sky above the land and sea. No longer am I a sleepy and lonely observer. Finally, I am a part of the world around me in all dimensions.
Dr. Hayden has curated a careful collection of support staff. I cannot give a higher complement to his whole practice, from scheduling, to prescription management, to TMS therapy; all personnel are intent on their patient and are carefully attuned to their emotional needs as these needs evolve over the course of treatment. There was never a doubt in my mind that my health and well-being were the top priority. Dr. Hayden’s success is rooted in his intense curiosity and can also be attributed to his adaptability and agile consideration when off-normal circumstances are presented.
For anyone considering TMS therapy, I highly recommend it. I only wish I had found this practice much sooner and gotten more of my life back!
I will try to keep this short but there is so much I would like to say to sing the praises of Dr.Hayden and his staff. Never have I experienced such caring and compassion in a healthcare environment not to mention the expertise in their field of study. Thank you Dr.Hayden for accepting me as a patient. TMS saved my life!