For most people the holiday season is a special time of year spent with family and friends building lasting memories. But for others the holidays evoke feelings of stress, sadness and loneliness. An increase in stress, a busy work schedule and missing loved ones (who are no longer with us) are all triggers, which can lead to depression over the holidays. People who have struggled with adverse life events such divorce, unemployment, bereavement, chronic medical problems, psychological trauma, alcohol or substance abuse are more likely to develop depression .

Learn more about TMS for Depression

Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, frequent crying episodes, loss of interest in social activities, decreased sex drive, changes in appetite, insomnia or excessive sleeping, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, guilt, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide and poor memory. Nearly 15 million people in the United States are affected by depression. Major Depressive Disorder MDD or Clinical Depression can be difficult to treat successfully.

The typical treatment options for MDD are antidepressant medications and counseling therapy. Some of the most common drug classes prescribed play a role in how the neurotransmitters affect the mood by lessening anxiety levels and creating a more peaceful, calm demeanor.

What's the TMS success rate?

While antidepressants are helpful for some people, the problem lies in two distinct categories. Number one, patients do not respond well to the medications prescribed. And number two, antidepressant medications cause a lot of side effects including nausea, abdominal pain, headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. The good news is that there is an alternative that has helped a myriad of patients, and even better, this alternative therapy is non-invasive with no systemic negative side effects.

What is TMS?

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) uses a targeted magnetic pulse to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood, the left prefrontal cortex. The magnetic pulses have shown to have a positive effect on the circuits and the neurotransmitters of the brain, leading to reduced depression symptoms and long-term remission, and the procedure is done right in the comfort of the office setting.

How does TMS help patients with depression and anxiety?

Medications affect the entire brain and body, yet TMS distinctively treats the brain. The magnetic pulses stimulate certain areas of the brain that are out of sync. These areas are specifically targeted depending on the patient’s needs.

How does TMS work? Click here to learn more.

Years ago, people thought depression was a chemical imbalance. We now know that depression and anxiety are not fully explained by the chemical imbalance theory that pharmaceutical companies loved to talk about. MRI imaging shows clear areas that are actively off in the brain of depressed or anxious patients. These specific areas are then stimulated with TMS therapy. Many people are unaware that if depression is not treated, MRI imaging will show degeneration in the brain.

TMS Treatment is Gentle and Safe

TMS is NOT electrical shocks. TMS is a safe, magnetic field that causes the brain to reset itself and recircuit areas that are damaged or dormant via gentle stimulation. TMS therapy does not require anesthesia, and during the treatment, patients are awake, as TMS therapy requires no anesthesia or sedation, and it is completely non-invasive. TMS stimulates the brain and generates a state of non-depression.

Learn more about TMS vs ECT (shock therapy)

The typical initial treatment course consists of at least 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period, for an average of 30 total treatments. Other providers offer long, drawn out treatment sessions that lasts approximately 40 minutes. HOWEVER, Florida TMS Clinic is the ONLY provider of navigated 3 minute TMS in Tampa Bay Area. This shorten the total time of treatment by 5 folds.

TMS side effects? Click here to learn more.

Khaled Bowarshi, M.D.

Double Board Certified in Medicine & Psychiatry

Dr. Khaled Bowarshi, a double board certified psychiatrist, is dedicated to transforming mental health. His passion lies in giving life back to those suffering from life-robbing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. At Florida TMS Clinic we seek to give life back to those living with a mood disorder using the most advanced treatment modalities, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS therapy).

TMS offers hope for long-term relief of undesired symptoms and a better quality of life.