TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Daniel Hageman
October is
Health Literacy Month , a time to focus on making information about your health and health care easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate.
Health literacy, as defined by the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 , refers to "the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand health information and services in order to make appropriate health decisions."
At Greenbrook TMS, we observe health literacy awareness every day, but Health Literacy Month is an opportunity for us to help our current and prospective patients and their families understand what we do, why we do it, and what you can expect when you visit us.
Research shows that a significant number of people have trouble reading, understanding, and acting on health information. According to one study, over one-third of Americans have
basic or below basic health literacy.
It's not surprising that many people are challenged by health information, which can be complicated and technical. At the same time, not all health care professionals are skilled in communicating that information, and patients and providers may struggle to find a common language to discuss health issues. Moreover, factors like education level, age, language, disability, and cultural context all have the potential to shape how accurately patients absorb health information.
Low health literacy is a major source of economic inefficiency in the US health care system, costing the economy between
$106 billion to $238 billion annually . This is because low levels of health literacy can lead to the use of more health care services, a greater risk for hospitalization, and an overreliance on emergency care. Locating providers and services, filling out forms, sharing medical history, and knowing the connection between risky behaviors and health can be pitfalls for patients with low health literacy.
Health literacy is paramount when it comes to mental health—especially in understanding your options. While talk therapy and medications are common first-line treatments for depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), they don't work for everyone. Building your mental health literacy skills can help you understand why these treatments may be ineffective for you and what other choices you have, including TMS.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a non-invasive treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. If you decide to get TMS treatments, you'll have
30 to 36 sessions over six to nine weeks . When coming in for a treatment, you'll relax in a chair while a TMS therapy device delivers gentle magnetic pulses to brain regions that are known to be directly associated with mood regulation. After a 20-minute treatment session, you can immediately return to your normal routine.
During your visit with your health care provider, we encourage you to ask questions about treatment-resistant depression or OCD as well as any questions you have about TMS. No provider should judge any questions you may have, and you should find a TMS doctor who's happy to help you understand your options. As you decide which treatment to pursue, you should know why your doctor recommends it, what your doctor's expertise is, and which options you're not taking by accepting that treatment. You should be able to ask candid questions, especially, "Will TMS work for me?" This can open an informative conversation with your doctor and put your mind at ease.
TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment, which means you can access understandable, clear information about it from reputable sources, such as the
National Institute of Mental Health and the
National Alliance on Mental Illness . When you're researching, beware of quick-fix solutions, sensational social media claims, or treatments outside of the FDA purview. When in doubt, ask your doctor!
Our approach to our patients is centered on education to make sure you understand what TMS is, how TMS can help you, what the risks and benefits of TMS are, and what financial charges you may incur. We'll provide you with informational handouts, and we're constantly publishing articles on our website about TMS therapy, depression, and OCD. All the content on our website—from FAQs to our blog —is vetted by board-certified physicians.
Our Care Team is always pleasant and friendly, and we'll keep a Care Team position unfilled if we don't find someone who meets our high standards of skill and affability. We want to ensure that our patients feel comfortable asking questions and are confident in our Care Team's ability to answer them. A well-trained, knowledgeable patient consultant will oversee your course of care and will also be available to answer your questions. Your physician will discuss the risks, benefits, and treatment options available to you.
When it comes to dealing with insurance claims, our billing department does all the research for you. We work directly with
nearly every insurance provider , which means that all you need is to let us see your insurance card and let us take it from there. Your patient consultant will work with you on the status of your insurance requests, and our team will file and process claims and help with appeals. We make sure payment is predictable for you, with no hidden fees, helping you make an informed choice about what's best for you.
We want our patients to be informed, educated, and comfortable as advocates for themselves. We'll support you every step of the way to ensure that you understand your condition and the treatments available for it, and we're committed to answering your questions and supporting you on your journey toward recovery. If you're ready to learn more,
schedule a no-cost consultation.
Take our 6 question quiz to see if TMS therapy could be right for you
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