How TMS Helps Military Families

Trauma, separation from loved ones, injury, extreme stress, and death are all potential hazards faced by military families. These pressures can lead to major depressive disorder for service men and women, as well as their loved ones. TMS can be an effective depression treatment for military families.

Depression and the Military

Depression can linger for members of the military long after their tours of duty are over. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that:

• Roughly 1 in 3 veterans showed signs of depression during their doctor’s appointments. 
• Another 1 in 5 have symptoms serious enough to warrant a diagnostic evaluation.
• And about 1 in 8 to 10 veterans has major depressive disorder that calls for treatment such as antidepressants or talk therapy. If those first-line treatments don’t work, TMS for veterans may be an option.

Many factors can increase the risk of depression for service men and women. These include:

• Traumatic brain injury suffered during combat
• Substance abuse
• Attacks that are physical or sexual in nature
• Combat stress
• Separation from their support network back home

The risk of depression also may increase for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma they’ve experienced can trigger symptoms of depression, such as sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or insomnia. Some of the VA’s sobering statistics on PTSD and members of the military:

• About 30% of Vietnam veterans experienced PTSD at some point in their lives. 
• Roughly 12% of Gulf War vets have reported PTSD.
• And 11% to 20% of people who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have PTSD in any given year.

These issues aren’t limited to those who served. Loved ones and close relatives can also suffer from depression, especially during deployment. They may also struggle with PTSD if the enlisted member of the family experienced trauma or injury during military service.

How to Tell If You or a Loved One Has Depression

Has your loved one acted differently since separating from active duty? Or are you feeling a gnawing anxiety with your partner on tour of duty? It’s helpful to know if depression is the cause. Watch for these signs:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Lethargy
• Insomnia
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Changes in weight or appetite
• A brain fog that inhibits concentration or clear thinking

Depression treatment for military families usually entails talk therapy (perhaps with a counselor who is also trained in treating PTSD) and/or antidepressant medications. Sometimes, it is also beneficial for military members to join a support group of fellow veterans where they can share their stories with others who have similar experiences. 

TMS For Military Members: How It Can Help

TMS therapy for PTSD isn’t cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, TMS can be used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder. 

This can be an effective treatment method for members of the military and their families who haven’t gotten the results they want from medication or talk therapy. TMS can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatment modalities. 

The science behind how TMS works: An electromagnetic coil is placed on the patient’s scalp. It emits magnetic pulses, which turn into gentle electrical currents that stimulate targeted areas of the brain. Treatment sessions last about 18 to 40 minutes and take place over several weeks. Sessions take place every weekday for the first several weeks before tapering in frequency.

TMS for military members offers several benefits, including:

• It’s non-invasive.
• It doesn’t require sedation, so you can drive yourself to and from treatment.
• Side effects are minimal.
• TMS can have a long-term benefit. One study found that among those who improved, 62% were still improved or in remission a year after treatment.

Plus, TMS for military members is covered by TriCare. This is the health insurance carrier for active duty service men and women, as well as family members, retirees, and members of the Reserve and National Guard.

Greenbrook TMS is honored to help military families find solutions for depression with TMS treatment. We understand the importance of supporting members of the military in their quest to improve their mental health. Our chief medical officer, Dr. Geoffrey Grammer, is a decorated Army colonel who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He also developed the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as its chief of Inpatient Psychiatric Services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you and schedule your free consultation.