Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Stephen Duran
Persistent Depressive Disorder or PDD is a chronic type of depression that usually last for more than a year and can be difficult to treat successfully. The typical treatment options for PDD are antidepressant medications and counseling therapy. Some of the most common drug classes prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The widely known drugs, like Prozac, Zoloft, and Cymbalta play a role in how the neurotransmitters affect the mood by lessening anxiety levels and creating a more peaceful, cheerful spirit.
Have you found that these medications do not work for you? You’re not alone, a vast majority of patients do not respond well to the medications prescribed. TMS is a drug-free, noninvasive way of treating depression that is treatment resistant, and it’s helping numerous people alleviate an eradicate depressive episodes.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
This non-invasive therapy that helps to improve the symptoms of depression through magnetic stimulation in the brain is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
In patients with depression, the prefrontal cortex in the brain is often atypical, showing patterns of abnormality. The TMS device uses magnetic stimulation in the brain’s area that controls emotions. This is achieved through magnets that are implanted inside of the cranial device that adheres to the patient’s scalp. The magnetic therapy generates a micro-electrical current, which stimulates the brain.
TMS Treats an area of the brain referred to as the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC). During scan of the brain after treatment, there is marked improvement in the DLPFC. TMS is covered by most insurance carriers.
Mag Venture Machine with Theta Burst Technology
Patients are fully awake and aware during their treatment, as TMS therapy requires no anesthesia or sedation, and it is completely non-invasive. This therapy immediately gets the brain stimulated and essentially kicks it into a non-depressed state. Many patients report a euphoric feeling after just one treatment. Alleviant has an advanced device called the mag Venture machine. It has Theta burst capabilities, which means the per treatment time is 3.5 minutes each (typical treatment is usually 40 minutes).
Alleviant Health Centers of Naples is located in the heart of downtown, in the Mission Square Center of Pine Ridge Road. Owner Stephen Durand, CRNA, has lived in Naples for 14 years. He is thrilled to offer Ketamine Infusion Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in his spacious, welcoming clinic. Stephen and his staff aim to heal pain, restore hope, and regain purpose for every client who visits his clinic.
Alleviant Health Centers
1575 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 16
Naples, FL 34109
(866) 951-HEAL | alleviant.com/naples