NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Depression in New Fathers
An open letter from new father Ross Hunt to his baby has sparked a conversation about depression in fathers. He wrote to his 11 month-old daughter that "I regretted having you, and thought that my life had been ruined by you being born. I know that’s hard to read, but trust me, it’s incredibly hard to write too." Hunt is not alone; an estimated 7-10% of new fathers will experience depression after having a child. This condition is especially hard-hitting for younger fathers (~25 years old) and those who live with their newborn.
Although lack of sleep and high stress levels in the first few months of a child's life can cause any parent to feel overwhelmed and anxious at times, these feelings usually fade as caretakers settle into a routine and learn how to care for their child. Conversely, PND is a persistent condition, and includes the following symptoms:
- Irritability
- Problem behaviors such has overworking, self-medication with alcohol/drugs, or gambling
- Feelings of despondency
- Difficulty concentrating
- Obsessive/anxious thoughts about the health and wellbeing of the baby or partner
- Thoughts of harming themselves or the baby
In the New York Times Article "I Gave Birth, but My Husband Developed Postpartum Depression" Kim Hooper explains the effect child birth can have on men's mental health. When discussing maternal postpartum depression, it's often hard for people to take seriously the idea of a man having similar issues.
Because men are less likely to acknowledge that they are struggling with their mental health and the focus of depression after having a child has largely been on mothers (although even for women, the topic remains taboo and very stigmatized), men often do not ask for help or support for fear of seeming weak or unable to cope. They also have to consider the logistical complications of seeking treatment with a new baby in the household.
Men seeking help may find relief from medication and/or talk therapy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is another option for those seeking an FDA-cleared, non-drug, non-systemic treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling, reach out to us to
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How Long Will I Stay Better After TMS? Therapies for depression such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) often work well even after conventional treatments fail. Prospective patients are often curious about TMS and want to know all about it, particularly how long TMS therapy lasts. Results vary from patient to patient, which is why we encourage anyone considering TMS for major depressive disorder to schedule a consultation to discuss their specific circumstances. TMS can be an effective treatment method for depression, particularly for people who haven’t gotten the results they want from first-line treatments such as talk therapy and antidepressants. With TMS, magnetic pulses are transmitted into the brain from an electromagnetic coil placed on the patient’s scalp. These pulses become gentle electrical currents that stimulate specific areas of the brain in order to alleviate depression symptoms. TMS treatment typically takes place every weekday for several weeks, then less frequently towards the end of treatment. Most people don’t have to wait until after the treatment period ends to see the difference TMS makes.
How to Help an Elderly Person with Depression Older adults are typically portrayed as living their golden years, filling their retirement with hobbies, travel, and time spent with grandchildren. But life can lose its luster if a senior adult struggles with depression. Many contributing factors may trigger depression in older adults, ranging from illness to isolation. Whatever the cause, if you or someone you love is dealing with depression in the later years of life, it’s critical to get treatment to alleviate symptoms. Learn more about the common signs of depression in older adults and what can be done to help.
