TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Daniel Hageman
The National Institute of Mental Health informs us that although people over the age of 65 comprise only 12% of the U.S. population, they accounted for a disturbing 16% of suicide deaths in 2004. What’s more shocking, studies show that up to 75% of older adults who died by suicide had visited a physician within a month before death. As we age, we experience physical changes that may limit our ability to function and move around. Health problems such as Illness and disability; chronic or severe pain, cognitive decline, damage to body image due to surgery or disease[1] can trigger and become the cause of depression in older adults. The risk of suffering from major depression increases for older adults who require home healthcare and hospital care.
The National Institute of Mental Health informs us that although people over the age of 65 comprise only 12% of the U.S. population, they accounted for a disturbing 16% of suicide deaths in 2004. What’s more shocking, studies show that up to 75% of older adults who died by suicide had visited a physician within a month before death.
As we age, we experience physical changes that may limit our ability to function and move around. Health problems such as Illness and disability; chronic or severe pain, cognitive decline, damage to body image due to surgery or disease[1] can trigger and become the cause of depression in older adults. The risk of suffering from major depression increases for older adults who require home healthcare and hospital care.
Many family members and even some health professionals mistakenly believe that depression is ‘just a part of aging’ and treat it as acceptable. In reality, feeling depressed is never an acceptable state of mind. The causes of depression are not yet clear, it could be a chemical imbalance, or a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors[2]. Older adults tend to experience loneliness, lack of social support, financial strain, and health problems or chronic pain.
For older adults who had battled depression throughout their adult life, the struggle is almost unbearable. It is important to recognize the signs of depression and accept that it is not a normal part of growing old. Depression during this age stage can be more difficult to treat as antidepressant treatment can be problematic as often patients cannot tolerate the dosages high enough to produce a response. In addition, the side effects can further limit and diminish their quality of life.
A study done by the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto concluded that “rTMS may be an effective treatment alternative to a subpopulation of medication resistant older depressed patients”. They also concluded that TMS can be a useful adjunctive treatment to medications in elderly treatment resistant depression.
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