Living with a psychiatric illness may be challenging when conventional treatments are not bringing the relief you require. Many people try several medications, therapy sessions, or a combination of the two before discovering something that makes a difference. This process may be discouraging and frustrating, causing you to question whether or not there is another way. The good news is that there are new treatment options available.
One such treatment is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. At Memorial Park Psychiatry, we offer this safe, noninvasive procedure for patients who may not have had success using other methods. Analyzing Houston TMS therapy vs. other treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, will help you determine if it could be the answer for you.
The most frequently prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression are antidepressants. While most people respond to medication, a few are unable to tolerate the side effects, which include weight gain, lethargy, sleep disturbances, and stomach upset. Some patients also try several different prescriptions but do not respond to any of them.
TMS provides another option. It treats targeted spots in the brain where mood is regulated using magnetic pulses. Since it does not travel through the body, it avoids the systemic side effects that medications produce. TMS may be a welcome option if you cannot tolerate medicines or have not responded to them. The therapy occurs over several sessions, but it does not entail long-term medication.
At Memorial Park Psychiatry in Houston, we can help you compare TMS with medications to find what will work best for you.
Psychotherapy is also an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, and other disorders. Talk therapy offers useful skills for managing symptoms, resolving feelings, and developing coping mechanisms. For certain clients, psychotherapy is sufficient by itself, while for others it is most effective when it is combined with medication.
TMS treatment, which we offer in Houston, differs from other treatments in that it acts directly on the brain’s neural circuits. Although it does not take the place of the insights and techniques acquired through psychotherapy, TMS may reduce your symptoms so that you can begin therapy and better access its benefits. If you have already attempted psychotherapy without lasting benefit, TMS may create a new possibility.
Besides medications and psychotherapies, additional therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Spravato exist. ECT may be useful for major depressive illness, but it requires anesthesia and can cause memory loss. Spravato, a ketamine nose spray for treatment-resistant depression, has proved useful but has the risk of causing dissociation and needs close supervision.
Compared to these therapies, TMS therapy, which we offer at Memorial Park Psychiatry in Houston, is noninvasive, does not require anesthesia, and has fewer side effects. The sessions are completed in a comfortable office setting, and you can immediately return to normal activity. While all therapies should be considered carefully, TMS offers a combination of safety, convenience, and efficacy that attracts patients.
If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or another psychiatric illness and have already attempted alternative treatments without achieving the results you are looking for, you might consider TMS treatment. Unlike medication, it does not cause systemic side effects, and unlike more invasive treatments, it does not need anesthesia or downtime. For the majority of patients, TMS produces long-lasting enhancements to mood, attention, and quality of life.
At Memorial Park Psychiatry, our experienced staff is here to help you explore Houston TMS therapy vs. other treatments. Schedule a consultation today so that we can review your treatment history, respond to your concerns, and show you how TMS could guide you towards better mental health.