NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
What Changes after Starting TMS Therapy?
Daniel Hageman
At a basic level, depression causes changes in a person's mood and behavior. But if you've experienced it, you know that depression isn't simply about feeling "sad"-- all facets of a person's life are impacted. People struggling with treatment-resistant depression who haven't responded to medications or talk therapy over the course of months and years can encounter great difficulty with their career, personal goals, and relationships. That's why when depression lifts, a person may experience improvements in their life outside of just their mood. We asked some of our patients what’s changed for them since starting Greenbrook TMS therapy. Here are their answers:
For Josie, 67, TMS therapy helped her rediscover her hobbies and opened her up to a livelier social life. She says “I used to get tremendous pleasure out of reading, but I’d given that up. Now I’m back to reading again. I enjoy those simple pleasures. It’s not like I have to win the lottery to be happy. I just became more active, I went back to my fitness habits.
I remember that I wanted to be with people. By nature I’m an introvert but that sort of changed. I talk to people more often, even strangers. And it was fun! It gave me more fun in my life.”
For Dereck, 51, depression had impacted his sense of self-worth and kept him from seeking out the physical care and mental health support he needed. Since Greenbrook TMS therapy, Dereck says "I’m going to see my doctor about some health issues that I’m having, which normally I wouldn’t care enough about myself to do that. I’m going to depression support groups.
I used to just lie in bed and think about how bad I felt— now on my bad days, I’m able to at least watch TV or go for a walk. That’s something I never used to do before."
Michaela, 30, had been experiencing treatment-resistant depression since she was a young teenager. She felt stalled in her life's trajectory and was having trouble at work. Michaela says that “Since Greenbrook TMS I have gotten a promotion. Pretty much every aspect of my life has gotten better.
My family noticed and especially at work they noticed. Right before I went for TMS, my manager talked to me a few times about my attitude because I was very depressed. I think things would have been a lot harder if I hadn’t gotten TMS.”
Wanda, 47, was able to find things to look forward to, after years of feeling like she was simply existing rather than really living. Wanda says “I’m thinking of the future.
Before TMS, everytime I’d go to see my doctor for a physical I’d feel like,
wow, we’re here again because I was surprised that I made it another year. I notice I don’t talk like that anymore.”
Joseph, 81, had been experiencing treatment-resistant depression with insomnia that took a great toll on him, both mentally and physically. Joseph says that "By the time I finished treatment, my sleep had increased to six or seven hours. It was just wonderful. Within a week of completing treatment, I was up to eight hours. The headaches are gone, the result of fatigue has greatly been reduced.
I’m back to almost a completely normal life. To me, Greenbrook TMS is a miracle."
Samantha, 20, juggles a busy schedule and had difficulty managing her emotions. Since TMS therapy, she's able to better handle school and her job in a stressful environment. Samantha says “I’m in college and I work as a server, and I noticed that at work I still get frustrated but now I handle it better. I used to get frustrated and just walk away, or react badly faster than I should.
My eating habits are better and I don’t have to force myself to eat. I’m motivated to do homework, which I used to never do. I just didn’t care enough and it wasn’t a priority. My anxiety has always been rooted in my depression but I’m able to control it more and it’s not as bad as it used to be. Since TMS, I have more control over how I react to things and my emotions. I used to not care and just react however my depression wanted me to, but now I’m able to control it more.”
Tessa, 23, was finding it difficult to engage in her passions and feel motivated. She says that "A few days into treatment at Greenbrook TMS, I was waking up at six to go to the gym.
I was walking dogs to make extra money. I wanted to do things. Something as simple as running an errand or making dinner for myself and my family. People were even telling me I seemed a lot happier and a lot different, which is when it really hit me that I was getting better."
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You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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