TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Jules Washington
Simply starting treatment for depression is an accomplishment worth being proud of. But as you've likely come to realize, the road to recovery isn't always smooth. Finding the best treatment for you can be a matter of trial and error, and you may encounter some setbacks along the way.
When you reach a setback, how do you decide which route to take next? Here, it's wise to take stock of the specific symptoms you're feeling in this moment. This includes your mood, physical symptoms, and any medication side effects you may be experiencing. This is especially important if you think your antidepressants aren't working.
Learning to recognize the signs your antidepressant is not working could help you understand how to get to your ultimate destination: a state of better well-being.
It may sound obvious, but it's worth mentioning that if you still have symptoms of depression, your antidepressants are not working to their full effect. Many people experience only partial relief, but not full relief. If your remaining symptoms are impacting your quality of life, you may want to consider changing your treatment course.
Remember that everyone's experience with depression is different. Some people with
depression symptoms have a tendency to experience specific physical symptoms, such as muscles aches, joint pains, and stomach problems, for instance. This can be especially true for older adults. Men can (and do) experience the more common symptoms of depression, such as low mood and lack of energy, but they are also more inclined to angry, aggressive, and risk-taking behavior as well as substance abuse. If your mood has lifted a little but you're still experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned above, that may mean antidepressants are not a fully effective treatment option for you.
If you're finding that your sleep and appetite are still affected, it's possible your antidepressants aren't working as well as they could. Sleep disturbance in depression can manifest in a variety of ways: waking up early in the morning, oversleeping, sleeping restlessly, or feeling tired all the time. As for changes in appetite, you might have experienced unintentional weight loss or weight gain, with or without food cravings.
Perhaps you felt energized soon after starting antidepressants, but now your symptoms have returned. Up to
34 percent of patients lose their initial positive response to their antidepressant, or they have a reduced response to it over time. This lost or reduced response is called tachyphylaxis.
This is called breakthrough depression. If you're beginning to suspect your depression is returning, ask yourself a few quick self-assessment questions. Have you lost interest in socializing, your hobbies, or your career? Are you less motivated and more tired—feeling that even small tasks take a good deal of extra effort? Do you feel anxious, restless, or irritable? Remember, you are the best judge of your own well-being.
The most common antidepressant side effects
listed by the FDA include nausea and vomiting, weight gain, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, and sexual problems. If you have persistent adverse effects, it may be best to seek a different form of treatment. Before making any changes, however, consult with your doctor. Suddenly stopping or even pausing your antidepressant can cause withdrawal-like symptoms or depression symptoms to worsen, so make sure to schedule an appointment to figure out next steps.
If the signs suggest your antidepressants aren't working, talk to your doctor about optimizing the dose of your current medication or trying a different one. It's important to continue with your medication, even if you feel your antidepressant is not effective, until your doctor sets a new treatment course.
Even when there seem to be roadblocks in front of you, remember there are other effective options available. One of these is transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. This is a treatment choice for when at least two medications have not been effective for depression. It is an FDA-approved,
non-invasive and non-drug form of treatment that applies highly focused magnetic pulses to brain regions that regulate mood.
Sixty-two percent of patients report a reduction in depression symptoms at the completion of the acute phase of TMS therapy, i.e., within just six to nine weeks.
If you still experience symptoms of depression after trying antidepressants, know that you deserve a treatment option that works—and you deserve to feel better. It is possible to get yourself back on track and follow those signposts toward healing.
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