TMS Therapy Huntsville

An alternative treatment for depression.
TMS Therapy is safe and without the side effects often associated with medications.

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depression is a common and serious medical illness affecting more than 13 million Americans, or approximately 6.6 percent of the population in a given year. Unlike the normal ups and downs of everyday life, Major Depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and even physical health. Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. often impairing social, academic and work functioning and causing significant emotional distress. Depression is the most predominant illness within the mental health arena.

Women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. However, some experts feel that depression in men is significantly under-reported. Major depression can occur at any age, including childhood, the teenage years and adulthood. Major depression has no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. About two-thirds of those who experience an episode of depression will have at least one other episode in their lives. It is not unusual for depression sufferers to have more than one episode in any given year.

Major depression, also known as unipolar depression, is only one type of depressive disorder. Other depressive disorders include dysthymia (a type of chronic depression) and bipolar depression (the depressed phase of bipolar disorder or manic depression). Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder experience both depression and mania in a cyclical fashion. Mania often involves abnormally and persistently elevated mood or irritability, elevated activity, grandiosity, rapid speech and racing thoughts.

Causes of Major Depressive Disorder

Scientists have not yet determined the root cause of major depression. However, there is strong evidence there may be several contributors to the illness. Psychological, biological and environmental factors may all contribute to its development. Whatever the specific causes, research has firmly established that major depression is a bio-chemical-electrical-neuronal disorder. We also know there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain areas associated with mood regulation. If depression is left untreated, there can also be neuronal degeneration. TMS helps the neurons electrically to fire correctly and thus reversing the loss of neuronal biochemicals and cell connections.

Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are three neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells) thought to be involved with major depression. Several theories attempting to explain depression are based on an imbalance of these chemical messengers. It is thought that most antidepressant medications work by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters or by changing the sensitivity of the receptors for these chemicals.

Scientists have also found evidence of a genetic predisposition to major depression. There is an increased risk for developing depression when there is a family history of the illness. Not everyone with a genetic predisposition develops depression, but some people probably have a biological make-up that leaves them particularly vulnerable to developing depression. Life events, such as the death of a loved one, chronic stress, and alcohol and drug abuse, may trigger episodes of depression. Some illnesses such as heart disease and cancer and some medications may also trigger a depressive episode. Often, however, depressive episodes occur spontaneously and are not triggered by a life crisis or physical illness.

Symptoms of Depression

The onset of the first episode of major depressive disorder may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild. The symptoms of this disorder characteristically represent a significant change from how a person functioned before the illness. The symptoms of depression may include:

  • feelings of worthlessness,
  • hopelessness, helplessness or guilt
  • persistently sad or irritable mood
  • pronounced changes in sleep habits and energy levels
  • pessimistic feelings about the future
  • trouble making decisions
  • significant weight gain or loss
  • difficulty thinking or concentrating
  • low libido
  • increased agitation
  • lack of interest in or pleasure from activities typically enjoyed
  • recurrent thoughts of death and/or suicide

When several of these symptoms occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with ordinary functioning, individuals should seek professional advice and treatment. If left untreated, major depression can lead to attempted suicide.

Am I Depressed?

If you are on this website, you probably realize that something is wrong with your mood and that you are not as happy as you could or should be. Or you have been diagnosed with depression but treatments have not worked and you are looking for help. In either case, this is a good place to start on the road to feeling better.

 

Learn About Yourself: Take a Depression Self-Test

Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
  
Not At All(0 points)
Several Days(1 Point)
More than Half the Days(2 Points)
Nearly Every Day(3 Points)
1.Little interest or pleasure in doing things.
2.Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
3.Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4.Feeling tired or having little energy
5.Poor appetite or overeating
6.Feeling bad about yourself-or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down.
7.Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8.Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
9.Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way*

*If you have had thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way, please discuss this with your clinician, go to a hospital emergency room or call 911.

A score greater than 5 suggests mild depression and a score of 10 or greater suggests moderate depression.

This screening test does not take the place of an evaluation of a mental health professional. If you would like us to review this form with you, please call us at 256-722-1999 and come in for an initial consultation.

Phone

256-722-1999

5151 Research Drive,
Suite B1
Huntsville, AL 35805

Monday - Thursday
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 2:00 pm