🔍 What is depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder that causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities. It can affect a person's social, occupational, and personal functioning. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe, and in some cases, it does not respond to medication or psychotherapy, which is called treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Symptoms of depression
✅ Feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness
✅ Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
✅ Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleeping)
✅ Unusual weight loss or gain
✅ Extreme fatigue and lack of energy
✅ Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
✅ Feelings of worthlessness or extreme guilt
✅ Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
If a person has these symptoms and is not responding to conventional treatments, rTMS may be an option for them.
💊 Common Depression Treatments
Treatment for depression usually involves one or a combination of these methods:
🔹 Pharmacotherapy: Taking antidepressants such as SSRIs (fluoxetine, citalopram) or SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine).
🔹 Psychotherapy: Methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that help change negative thoughts
Lifestyle modification: exercise, healthy diet, regular sleep and meditation.
🔹 Brain stimulation (rTMS, ECT, etc.): In treatment-resistant cases, methods such as rTMS are recommended.
🌟 Treatment of depression with rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
rTMS is a novel, non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic waves to stimulate specific areas of the brain that are underactive in depression. It is an ideal option for patients who do not respond to antidepressants or who experience side effects from them.
🔬 How does rTMS work?
🔹 During rTMS sessions, a device is placed on the patient's head that sends magnetic waves to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
🔹 This stimulation increases neural activity in areas associated with mood and reduces symptoms of depression.
Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require anesthesia.
✅ Benefits of rTMS for treating depression
✔ Non-invasive and painless (unlike methods such as ECT that require anesthesia)
✔ No side effects of antidepressants (such as weight gain, decreased libido, or drowsiness)
✔ Effective for treatment-resistant depression
✔ Short sessions (20-40 minutes) and can be done in the clinic
✔ High effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression
📅 How long is the rTMS treatment period?
Treatment usually involves 20 to 30 sessions, which are performed over a period of 4 to 6 weeks.
💠 Each session lasts about 20 to 40 minutes.
💠 Some patients experience improvement in symptoms after 2 to 3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About rTMS for Depression
🔹 Is rTMS Painful?
No, it is completely non-invasive. Some patients may experience a slight tingling sensation at the site of stimulation during the first few sessions, which will subside after a few sessions.ش
🔹 Are there any side effects?
rTMS is a safe procedure and side effects are very rare. Some people may experience a mild headache or temporary discomfort in the head area, which usually resolves quickly.
Is this treatment suitable for everyone?
rTMS is suitable for most patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, people with metal implants in the skull, pacemakers, or a history of seizures should not use this method.
Does rTMS have a permanent effect?
Many patients see a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms after one course of treatment. However, in some cases, maintenance (booster) sessions may be needed in the future.
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Conclusion
rTMS is a novel and effective treatment for depression, especially for patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. By stimulating key parts of the brain, it can improve people's quality of life.
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If you are suffering from treatment-resistant depression, you can book an appointment for an initial consultation and assessment.