A safe treatment for the young minds struggling with depression

FDA cleared

Non-invasive

Non-medicated

Safe and effective

We are listening

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adolescent Depression

Adolescence is a period of huge changes as one matures and grows into adulthood. This transition can be a lot to handle due to a number of factors and the physical and mental fluctuations together can sometimes lead to adolescent depression. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an advanced treatment option that helps the young minds navigate through the exhausting symptoms of adolescent depression. With TMS, the areas of the brain that regulate the mood are stimulated with repeated magnetic waves in order to better manage the symptoms of depression and improve quality of life. As a non-invasive and non-medicated treatment, TMS has opened up new horizons in managing adolescent depression in a safe and effective way.

The future is full of possibilities

Watching someone you love go through adolescent depression can be hard on anyone. But at this vulnerable age, it’s difficult to get them to accept the help they need, especially since they fear the social stigma and isolation. TMS gives these adolescents a chance to get better without having to be medicated or hospitalized. Each treatment session is an outpatient procedure and will not affect their daily routine in any way. During TMS, the technician will target selected areas of the brain and influence the electrical activity there with the help of magnetic waves to improve symptoms. For adolescents suffering from depression that is resistant to treatment or needing a more effective treatment which is also non-invasive, TMS can be of great help, allowing them to see the shining possibilities awaiting them in the future.

How does it work?

Conducted by a TMS specialist, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an outpatient procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia or an overnight stay at the hospital.

The patient is seated on a comfortable chair with earplugs on. The magnetic coil is placed against the head after personalizing the settings.

Multiple magnetic impulses are delivered to the brain. During this time, there will be clicking sounds and also a tapping sensation beneath the magnetic coil.

The procedure may last 20-40 minutes. Sessions are delivered 5 days a week for a period of 4-6 weeks.

TMS has little to no side effects and discomfort, if any, usually only lasts for a few minutes after the procedure. The patient can resume regular activities immediately after each session.

Our Innovative Technology

The human brain contains millions and millions of neurons that control how you perceive the world around you. Even the slightest change in the brain’s activity can have significant effect on the patient. Through TMS therapy, we bring a positive effect on the patient’s quality of living through targeted brain stimulations.

For this purpose, RHS has made available the most advanced TMS machines to help our patients through their psychiatric and neurological problems. These devices are cleared by the FDA for treatment of patients who are struggling with MDD, OCD, anxious depression, and adolescent depression.

The Reliance Experience

It is difficult to handle adolescence as it is, but with adolescent depression on top of it, it makes it even more difficult to manage. The first mental healthcare provider in Eastern Washington to offer TMS therapy, RHS is a premier mental healthcare center operating in Richland, Washington, providing advanced care for patients suffering from adolescent depression and other mental health disorders. At RHS, our highly trained and experienced professionals are dedicated to serving the young minds with their attentive and compassionate care so as to connect with them and understand them better. This approach helps us make personalized treatment plans which can bring maximum benefits for the patient. Delivered by highly capable TMS technicians, the advanced TMS therapy we provide at our center can brighten the future of our young patients by helping them manage their condition with ease, bringing back their zest for life.

For more information on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy for adolescent depression at RHS, contact us today.

FAQ

The FDA cleared TMS for adolescent depression is only recommended for patients aged 15 and older.

The FDA cleared TMS for adolescent depression has a success rate of 78% in improving the symptoms while 48% experienced symptom remission.

TMS is a completely safe and effective treatment for adolescent depression and the patient will not suffer any negative effects in the future.

Most insurance providers including Medicare cover TMS therapy. Your physician will help manage the prior authorization required for insurance coverage.

TMS therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment procedure. The patients can engage in activities like watching TV or reading during the treatment.

TMS therapy has little to no side effects. At most, the patient will feel a mild discomfort in the scalp or feel a slight headache during treatment. Patients can resume their regular activities immediately afterward.

Typically, TMS therapy sessions are carried out over a period of 4-6 weeks, five times a week. The duration of the therapy will be decided by your physician depending on your condition.

The time required varies from patient to patient depending on a number of conditions including age, severity of the condition, and combination medicines used. But no matter the time, TMS therapy is proven to be effective in relieving the symptoms over the course of treatment.

Adolescent depression is a complex condition and each patient responds to treatment differently. For some patients, TMS may be effective enough that they can stop taking medication while for others TMS may improve the efficacy of their medication. Some patients may find TMS to be the only effective treatment. Whether to stay on medication or not, you need to discuss with the doctor in detail.

TMS therapy is an FDA cleared treatment that is considered safe and effective with little to no side effects.

At RHS, we provide comprehensive care for our patients before, during, and after TMS therapy.

Before the treatment you will meet our TMS expert with whom you will go over your diagnosis and medical history in detail to see if you meet the criteria required for TMS therapy. Once we have confirmation that TMS is the right choice for you, our team will submit the insurance documents for Prior Authorization. After receiving the approval, we will do a TMS mapping to determine the location and dose of your treatment. Sessions will be held between Monday-Friday and patient will be interviewed before each appointment to ascertain their response to treatment. The treatment sessions are administered by a certified TMS provider or TMS technicians. You will also have regular meetings with your medication management provider to see if the treatment is working for you and make further adjustments if necessary. The treatment is tapered down over the last two weeks and after completion, there will be follow ups with the patient in 2 weeks to see if there are any major changes in mood. If we deem that further medication management, therapy, or TMS maintenance is required, we will discuss it with the patient moving forward.

TMS is covered by most commercial and state insurance plans. However, cost of treatment varies per your insurance policy. Please contact our billing department and your insurance company for more information about cost of treatment.

TMS is a safe, effective treatment for depression for adolescents between the ages 15-21. To be eligible, you must be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. While medication trials are not a requirement, most patients would have been through at least one medication trial with insufficient improvement in symptoms. An ideal candidate for TMS would be:

Patients who are not satisfied with the results of medication
Patients who have responded to medication but are not in remission
Patients who could not tolerate the side effects of medication
Patients who wish to avoid medications and augmentation treatments

Although TMS is considered a safe treatment for most, there are some conditions which may prevent you from receiving the treatment. These include:

History of Seizure Disorder
History of Bipolar Disorder
History of metallic implants in the head/neck areas (except braces and other dental fillings)
Presence of implanted medical devices like pacemakers
Pregnancy

There are other relative, absolute contraindications and “inconveniences” during treatment that will be further discussed with your provider during your Brain Stim Consultation