Millions of people are affected by mental health disorders. The primary treatment for depression using traditional psychiatry is still antidepressant medications with or without talk therapy. Unfortunately, millions of people do not get adequate relief from antidepressant medications or cannot tolerate the drugs. This is called treatment-resistant depression.
We want you to know there is hope. If you have treatment-resistant depression and do not get relief from antidepressant medications, you may be a candidate for NeuroStar TMS therapy in New Jersey.
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. This noninvasive medical treatment uses electromagnetic fields to activate nerve cells within the brain areas that control mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). The FDA cleared TMS treatment in 2008, and the technology has continued to improve.
Imaging studies demonstrate that areas of the brain responsible for mood are less active in individuals who have depression than in those who do not. Researchers believe that targeting those areas of the brain with electromagnetic pulses increases nerve cell activity and reduces symptoms.
A full TMS therapy treatment cycle for qualifying candidates in New Jersey includes a 20-to-30-minute session five days a week for four to seven weeks. During treatment, a padded coil is placed against the area of your head to be treated. An initial assessment by our board-certified psychiatrist identifies the intensity and depth of the magnetic stimulation.
Most people begin to see improvement within the first two to three weeks of treatment, and for some, their friends and family see improvements before they do.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is safe and highly effective for candidates in New Jersey who live with major depressive disorder and depression-related anxiety, and as an adjunctive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, while it is highly effective, it may not be the right treatment option for everyone.
Clinical trials with NeuroStar TMS therapy have been done on individuals who are resistant to antidepressant medications. Currently, NeuroStar TMS therapy is recommended for anyone struggling with depression, but may be most indicated for people with treatment-resistant depression. To receive insurance reimbursement for therapy, you must demonstrate that you tried at least one antidepressant medication and did not receive adequate results.
NeuroStar TMS therapy uses electromagnetic pulses, which means it is not appropriate for individuals who have implanted metallic devices in their heads or necks, such as deep brain stimulators, heart pacemakers, vagus nerve stimulators, cochlear implants, or metallic fragments.
The treatment may not be appropriate for individuals with a history of brain injury, seizure disorder, or other medical neurological conditions.
Every person responds differently to TMS therapy. In clinical trials, less than five percent of people stopped the treatment because of side effects. The most common is temporary pain or discomfort at the treatment site. This can include skin warming, tingling, or pain. These side effects typically resolve after the first week of treatment.
Other side effects can include eye pain, toothache, or skin pain close to the area where the padded coil is placed. There is a rare risk of seizure linked to all TMS therapy that occurs in less than 0.03% of people. In those who have had a seizure, there was no adverse or long-term effect on their ability to think and function. For this reason, NeuroStar TMS therapy is not appropriate for people who have a known seizure disorder.
When you have treatment-resistant depression or depression-related anxiety or are interested in TMS therapy as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), we encourage you to call our office and schedule a consultation. You may be a candidate for NeuroStar TMS therapy in New Jersey. NeuroStar TMS offers hope for symptom relief for those who have not experienced measurable results using antidepressant medications.
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).
Important Safety Information
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.
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).
Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.
