Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States today. In most cases, if you get a diagnosis of depression, the mental health treatment expert will first suggest either medication or therapy. Most of the time, they will suggest a combination of both. Sadly, in some circumstances, these treatment options will not always effectively address your depression symptoms. Fortunately, at South Tampa Psychiatry, we’re proud to provide alternative treatment options. For instance, TMS therapy for depression near Largo, FL, can be an effective tool to reduce and manage your depression symptoms.
We want to give you the answers you need so that you can move into the future with confidence. Throughout your treatment program, we will be at your side to help you and support you. Contact our kind and compassionate team members at 866.273.5017 today to learn about the benefits of seeking TMS therapy near Largo, FL.
Process for TMS Therapy for Depression Near Largo, FL
When your depression symptoms resist traditional treatment options, you need alternative treatments that will effectively address your condition. One treatment option is transcranial magnetic stimulation, otherwise known as TMS. This therapy can be a practical choice when treatment experts combine it with antidepressants and psychotherapy. Our team at South Tampa Psychiatry may suggest TMS therapy for depression if other treatment methods haven’t reduced your symptoms.
During your first TMS therapy appointment, one of our technicians will greet you and request that you take off any metal jewelry or credit cards. This step is a safety precaution because we use magnetic coils during the treatment, which can affect these accessories. We’ll also offer you earplugs designed to protect your hearing and comfort during the treatment. Then, we’ll take you to our office to start the treatment.
Once you’re seated, a team member will place the coil onto your head and begin to measure your motor threshold. This term refers to the lowest stimulation level that makes your fingers and hand twitch when we administer a rapid series of magnetic pulses. We want to make sure you’re not getting too much stimulation, so we tailor the treatment to your unique threshold. We don’t do this step at the beginning of each treatment. However, we may have to do it again if we determine that your motor threshold has changed.
Once we’ve determined the appropriate stimulation level, the team member will place the coil on your frontal cortex and begin treatment. During this time, you’ll feel the coil tap against your head. You’ll also hear loud clicks, like the ones an MRI machine emits.
When Will I Begin Seeing Results?
If you’ve been struggling with depression for a while, you may be impatient for the TMS therapy for depression near Largo, FL to start working. You may not see results at the beginning of treatment. In most cases, it takes three or four treatments for TMS therapy to be effective. We’ll administer the treatment around four or five days a week, and continue treatments somewhere between four to six weeks. Each treatment will take about 20 to 50 minutes, and, because you don’t need any anesthesia, you can return to life’s daily responsibilities after you finish the treatment for the day.
Contact South Tampa Psychiatry
Our goal is to help you recover from depression and other mental health conditions at South Tampa Psychiatry. TMS therapy can address a range of conditions, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorders
- Addiction
- Co-occurring disorders
To learn more about the treatment options we offer in addition to TMS therapy near Largo, FL, contact our team today at 866.273.5017.