BrainsWay DTMS Is an FDA-Approved Breakthrough Treatment Offered at the Family Living Institute
How Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treats Depression
When traditional treatments such as antidepressant medication and outpatient therapy for major depressive disorder are not working, it is often referred to as “Treatment Resistant Depression.” This means that neither medication nor therapy has produced the desired outcome for the individual. Medications can fail due to a lack of response or an inability to tolerate side effects. The FDA has approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of depression in patients who have failed to respond to antidepressant medications in their current episode of depression. TMS is different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It utilizes magnetic pulses to excite areas in the central portion of the brain that are not functioning appropriately. TMS therapy increases the number of neurochemicals in areas of the brain that are commonly found in individuals without clinical depression. The treatment takes place over several weeks, with sessions lasting about 20 to 30 minutes. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment is well tolerated, and individuals can drive themselves to and from appointments. Of patients in the last year who have received TMS treatment at the Family Living Institute (FLI), a practice specializing in psychotherapy in Williamsburg, VA, more than 85 percent have responded favorably.
FLI has partnered with BrainsWay Ltd., a leader in TMS, due to its patented technology that allows for deeper stimulation to areas of the brain most associated with depressive disorders.
BrainsWay DTMS
BrainsWay Deep TMS, or DTMS (deep transcranial magnetic stimulation), is used to treat patients aged 18-80 who have major depression and are resistant to or have failed with, the use of antidepressant medication. Depression is one of the most acute, widespread illnesses of the 21st century, affecting nearly 15 million American adults annually. One out of five people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
BrainsWay Treatment
BrainsWay DTMS is a non-invasive treatment which stimulates the brain region that is responsible for depression, increasing serotonin levels to bring significant improvements in a short time. The procedure is done by directing magnetic energy to the area of the brain that sits just above the left eye, which will activate the depressed brain cells. BrainsWay treatment is an outpatient procedure which does not require hospitalization or anesthesia and does not cause memory loss or other long-term side effects. Patients can drive home after treatment and follow a normal daily routine.
BrainsWay consists of daily thirty-minute sessions, Monday through Friday, for twenty sessions over the course of four weeks. Within the first 6-7 treatments, most patients score significantly lower on the Beck Depression Scale and report feeling much better. They also tend to look much better with an improved posture and energy. At Family Living Institute, specialists make treatment as convenient as possible for patients so there are no driving or work restrictions that prevent them from receiving BrainsWay Deep TMS therapy.
Traditional treatments include antidepressants and therapy; however, these often fail to bring relief and can cause serious side effects. Medications may only work for a brief period and patients often find themselves in a cycle of trying different medications every 90 days hoping to get even minimal effects. Side effects of the antidepressant medication include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and nausea.
Many people are medication-resistant and experience no relief at all. If their condition persists or worsens, they may be referred for ECT treatment which includes hospitalization and use of anesthetics. Side effects of this treatment can be serious including memory loss, seizures, confusion, adverse responses to anesthetics, and cognitive dysfunction.
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