Why NeuroStar?

When you present with major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder with anxious depression, you may be curious why NeuroStar TMS Advanced Therapy stands out from other treatment options. TMS therapy uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to stimulate specific nerve cells of the brain, which can aid in treating several mental health conditions.

This non-invasive therapy does not use drugs, so it generally has a low risk of adverse side effects that patients might experience with medication or treatments that require anesthesia. The main goal of TMS therapy is to ensure the brain sustains higher levels of activity, which could put you in remission if you are experiencing MDD, OCD, or anxious depression.

About NeuroStar

NeuroStar Advanced is a brand name medical treatment for TMS therapy. It uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate the neurons in certain areas of your brain to improve symptoms of major depression, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These conditions are caused when the synapses in your brain stop working correctly; by stimulating these areas with electromagnetic waves, dormant neurons can become more active, leading to more normal brain function. If the neurons remain turned on and functioning normally, you are considered to be in remission.

While standard treatment usually lasts about seven weeks, you should notice an improvement in symptoms within two to three weeks after beginning treatment. Completing the entire course of treatment will ensure your results last for a year or longer. Depending on your needs, you may require occasional maintenance sessions. A clinician at our practice can explain why and how many NeuroStar sessions you might need.

The Technology Behind NeuroStar TMS Therapy

Patients with MDD, OCD, or MDD with anxious depression typically experience decreased activity in areas of their brain that regulate mood, emotion, and behavior. TMS therapy is designed to increase brain activity by stimulating those areas with electromagnetic waves.

TMS therapy is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While most TMS treatments follow the same basic principles, the NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy offers some unique features.

During a NeuroStar Advanced TMS session, a trained clinician places a handheld device with an electromagnetic coil against the patient’s scalp, specifically over the targeted regions of their brain. The coil generates pulsed magnetic fields that pass through the scalp and skull: NeuroStar uses a patented technology called Contact Sensing to ensure the exact dosage for each electromagnetic pulse.

These repetitive magnetic pulses excite the underactive neurons, stimulating their activity in a way that is both safe and controlled. TMS technology functions in a way similar to an MRI machine: it is just as safe and has as few side effects. With regular treatment sessions, TMS trains your brain to increase its activity; over time, your brain learns to function better on its own.

Why NeuroStar TMS Is Different

NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy works differently than other therapeutic approaches to treating major depression, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Medications prescribed for mental health disorders often produce unwanted side effects, since they work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and are absorbed through the digestive tract. TMS therapy includes no medication and so does not cause unwanted side effects in the brain or digestive tract; neither will TMS interfere with other medications you might be taking.

Psychotherapy encourages insight, coping strategies, and behavioral changes through talking to a trained therapist about your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Unfortunately, psychotherapy alone cannot address the chemical imbalances in the brain that cause major depression, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. By stimulating brain activity, NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy can treat those conditions.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an invasive treatment where a person under anesthesia has electric currents passed through their brain, inducing a seizure. The procedure appears to change brain chemistry and may reverse symptoms of some mental health conditions. NeuroStar TMS is much gentler: the patient is not put to sleep, does experience seizures, and can continue with their regular daily routine afterward, including driving.

Ask Our Clinicians Why You Should Choose NeuroStar Today

There are many reasons why NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is effective at treating major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder with anxious depression. We are confident we can help you find long-lasting relief from your symptoms.

Call our clinic today to answer any questions you have concerning TMS therapy or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!