UToledo Health has expanded its mental health services to include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for adults with major depressive disorder. This therapy is intended for patients who have not improved with medication or psychotherapy. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. The goal is to help regulate mood by encouraging new neural connections.
TMS is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is given on an outpatient basis. Treatment usually involves daily sessions over several weeks. The procedure does not require sedation. Most patients report mild side effects, such as headaches or nausea, early in treatment.
Dr. Robert Smith, a psychiatrist at UToledo Health, states that depression often needs several treatment approaches. He says TMS can be an option for those who do not respond to standard treatments. According to national data, more than 20 million Americans experience a major depressive episode each year. About one in five people will have major depression in their lifetime. Clinical studies show that up to one-third of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to antidepressants. Some of these patients may benefit from TMS…