When you present with major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxious depression, you may be curious why NeuroStar TMS Therapy stands out from other treatment options.
This non-invasive therapy does not rely on pills, so it does not have the systemic side effects of medication or treatments that require anesthesia. The main goal of TMS therapy is to ensure the brain sustains higher levels of activity, which could put you in remission if you are experiencing MDD, OCD, or anxious depression.
NeuroStar Advanced is a brand-name medical treatment for TMS therapy. It uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate the neurons in certain areas of your brain to improve symptoms of MDD, anxious depression, and OCD. These conditions are caused when the synapses in your brain stop working correctly; by stimulating these areas with electromagnetic waves, dormant neurons can become more active, leading to more normal brain function. If the neurons remain turned on and functioning normally, you are likely to feel that your condition is in remission.
While standard treatment usually lasts about seven weeks, you may notice an improvement in symptoms within two to three weeks after beginning treatment. Completing the entire course of treatment will ensure your results last for a year. A clinician at The Schulte Institute can explain why and how many NeuroStar TMS therapy sessions you might need.
Patients with MDD, OCD, or anxious depression typically experience decreased activity in areas of their brain that regulate mood, emotion, and behavior. TMS therapy is designed to increase brain activity by stimulating those areas with electromagnetic waves.
TMS therapy is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While most TMS treatments follow the same basic principles, the NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy offers some unique features, which is why it could be a good choice.
During a NeuroStar Advanced TMS session, a trained clinician places a device with an electromagnetic coil against the patient’s scalp, specifically over the targeted regions of their brain. The coil generates pulsed magnetic fields that pass through the scalp and skull, and NeuroStar uses a patented technology called Contact Sensing to ensure the exact dosage for each electromagnetic pulse.
These repetitive magnetic pulses excite the underactive neurons, stimulating their activity in a way that is both safe and controlled. TMS technology functions in a way similar to an MRI machine: it is safe and has few side effects. With regular treatment sessions, TMS trains your brain to increase its activity; over time, your brain learns to function better on its own.
NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy works differently from other therapeutic approaches to treating these mental health conditions. Medications prescribed for mental health disorders often produce unwanted side effects, since they work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and everywhere else in the body, including the digestive tract. TMS therapy includes no medication and so does not cause unwanted side effects of medications in the brain or digestive tract; neither will TMS interfere with other medications you might be taking.
Psychotherapy encourages insight, coping strategies, and behavioral changes through talking to a trained therapist about your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Unfortunately, psychotherapy alone often cannot address the chemical imbalances in the brain that cause depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. By stimulating brain activity, NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy can treat those conditions.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an invasive treatment where a person under anesthesia has electric currents passed through their brain, inducing short seizures. The procedure appears to change brain chemistry and may reverse symptoms of some mental health conditions. NeuroStar TMS is not invasive—you are not put to sleep and can continue with your regular daily routine afterward, including driving.
There are many reasons why NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is effective at treating MDD, OCD, and anxious depression. At The Schulte Institute, we are confident we can help you find long-lasting relief from your symptoms. Call us today to answer any questions you have concerning TMS therapy or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
Adult Indications for Use
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode.
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Adolescent Indications for Use
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15-21).
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary.
Important Safety Information
The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient).
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy should not be used with patients who have non-removable conductive metal in or near the head. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has not been studied in patients who have not received prior antidepressant treatment.
