Is TMS Right for You?

It may be time to consider new treatment options:

> If you are still suffering from depression symptoms despite several months of treatment

> If  you are experiencing side effects from your antidepressant medication

Effectively treating your depression is extremely important for your overall health, your quality of life, and your professional life. As a general rule of thumb, if you have been in treatment for six months and have not experienced improvement in your depression symptoms, it may be time to consider new treatment options.

Should I consider other treatment options?

When considering whether or not TMS Therapy  or any other treatment option may be the right treatment for you, it may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• How long have I been struggling with depression symptoms?
• What are my goals for treating my depression?
• Is my current treatment plan meeting my goals?

How is my depression affecting me?

Though you may be very conscious of your mood and your physical symptoms when you are depressed, it is also important to consider how your depression affects all aspects of your life. If your depression symptoms are threatening your ability to maintain the quality of life you strive for, then it may be time to consider changing your treatment plan. Consider the following questions:

• • How has depression affected my social life?
    • What family activities or social functions have I missed because of my depression?
    • How have my relationships with friends, family and coworkers been affected by my depression?
    • How has my depression affected my ability to fulfill my role as a spouse, parent, co-worker, friend, student, etc?
    • Does my family understand what depression is like for me
  • How  has my depression affected my physical health?
    • Have I had to stop any activities because of my depression symptoms?
    • Have I been diagnosed with any other conditions like diabetes or heart disease?
    • How have these conditions affected my life?
    • Do I have side effects from my current treatment?
  • How has my depression affected my personal and professional goals?
    • How has my motivation and desire to accomplish more changed?
    • Has my depression caused me to miss work or perform less than my best?
    • Is my depression jeopardizing my employment?
    • Has I been passed up for promotions or raises because my depression has affected my ability to work?
  • How has my depression affected my financial situation?
    • How much loss of income I have suffered from not working due to my depression?
    • What are my monthly out-of-pocket and copay expenses for my depression treatment and/or other conditions affected by my depression?
    • Are my behavioral health benefits changing?
    • What I have spent on depression treatment in this and previous depression episodes?

What should I do if I want to learn more about other treatment options?

Be Honest with Your Physician.

It is important to always be honest with your physician about your goals for your treatment and about how you feel your current treatment is working or not working. Ask your physician to explain all of your options and the risks and benefits of each treatment. Together, you and your physician should decide which treatment is most appropriate for your given your symptoms, your past treatment history, and your own goals for your treatment.

Consult a Specialist.

Since TMS Therapy is a relatively new clinical option for patients, you current provider may not be fully aware of all the developments in TMS Therapy as a treatment for Major Depression and whether or not you are a candidate for treatment. As TMS Therapy must be prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist, it is recommended that you schedule an evaluation with a psychiatrist who has a clear understanding of TMS Therapy, preferably a psychiatrist who is also a TMS specialist. TMS Therapy may be just one of a number of different treatment options which may be appropriate for you at this time. We have seen several patients in consultation who were good candidates for TMS Therapy, however they were also good candidates for other treatment options. Dr. Lanocha discusses each of these options at length and  together the patient, their loved ones, and Dr. Lanocha decide which is the best course of action at that time.