Depression
Depression is a leading mental health concern affecting an alarming number of people worldwide. In fact, 29% of adults in the US report having received a diagnosis of depression at some point.
While most people think it’s a simple emotional condition, depression is much more than just feeling down for a few days. It's a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. This can significantly affect your daily life, relationships, work, and well-being.
Our team, consisting of a board-certified TMS physician, a psychotherapist, and several nurse practitioners at Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center, understands that living with depression can be overwhelming and isolating. When traditional treatments like medications and therapy don't provide sufficient relief, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy offers a promising alternative.
The Different Types of Depression
While depression shares core symptoms like sadness and hopelessness, it can manifest in various forms. Understanding these different types enables our team to guide patients effectively, allowing them to overcome the struggle. Here's a look at some common types:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): This is the most well-known type of depression, characterized by severe symptoms that significantly impact daily life for at least two weeks.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Previously known as dysthymia, PDD involves experiencing milder but chronic depressive symptoms for at least two years.
Bipolar Disorder: This is a mood disorder involving episodes of both depression and mania (elevated mood and energy).
Peripartum Depression: Depression that occurs during pregnancy (prenatal) or after childbirth (postpartum) can be triggered by hormonal changes and the challenges of new parenthood.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Also known as ‘winter blues’, SAD involves recurring episodes of depression that correlate with the changing seasons, often starting in fall and improving during spring/summer.
Atypical Depression: This type presents with unusual symptoms like weight gain, increased sleep, and mood reactivity (feeling better in response to positive events).
Symptoms of Depression
Emotional Symptoms:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or despair
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Loss of pleasure or even interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Increased irritability, anger, or frustration
- Anxiety, restlessness, or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Physical Symptoms:
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia)
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Decreased libido
- Restlessness or feeling slowed down
It's important to remember:
- You may not experience all of these signs of depression.
- The severity of depression symptoms can vary depending on the person and the type of depression.
- Other medical conditions can also have these symptoms.
If you've been experiencing several of these symptoms for more than two weeks and these are causing you significant distress, seeking professional help is crucial. Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center offers TMS therapy and other treatment options to address your specific needs and help you manage your depression effectively.
Our TMS Treatment for Depression
Here at Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center, we understand the emotional burden patients face. Hence, we are committed to providing you with the support and resources you need to feel better.
Our TMS therapy specifically targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a brain area often underactive in individuals suffering from depression. TMS therapy delivers repetitive magnetic pulses to stimulate these neurons, boosting their activity and connectivity. This process, known as neuroplasticity, effectively "rewires" the brain, leading to significant improvements in mood, increased energy levels, and overall mental well-being.
Learn more about TMS therapy for depression.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Our compassionate and experienced team at Shore Clinical is here to support you every step of the way. We strive to help you achieve mental well-being through our personalized treatment plans and state-of-the-art TMS therapy.