April 2024, the FDA approved TMS for adolescents with depression, based on clinical evidence that shows it’s safe and effective.
TMS is a non medication based treatment for depression and utilizes focused beams of magnetic waves to the specific areas of the brain to help resolve the symptoms of severe depression. This is a safe and effective way to treat depression with no medications. There are other more invasive treatments for Major Depressive Disorder in adolescents and can have major side effects.
The magnetic waves during treatment will activate the neurons in the brain to release serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It is the mentioned release of chemicals that are responsible for helping the adolescent from feeling depressed. When you are depressed the body no longer naturally releases the chemicals, which keep us happy.
Depression can cause damaging long term effects. It can affect the family unit, causing many to seek out substances to stop the feeling. This can lead down the path of addiction. It is also the leading cause for suicidal ideations. Having them question am I enough or what is wrong with me? With help from TMS treatment we hope to allow the adolescent to become an adult without carrying depression with them.
Transcranial magnetic Stimulation treatment is 3 weeks of treatment 5 days a week for adolescents. Depending on the severity of the depression some may require up to 6 weeks of treatment.
After the initial mapping and treatment which usually lasts about 45 minutes, the following treatments are only about 30 minutes. This
allows patients to come in after or before school. There is no down time. The patient is able to resume the normal activities of the day.
The most common side effect is headaches, scalp discomfort and twitching that have been proven to be mild. If your child should experience any of the above mentioned side effects, talking with his Primary Care Provider about which NSAID is safe for your child during treatment, usually takes care of the effect.
