TMS therapy for elderly patients in Columbia is a good option for older adults who experience treatment-resistant depression. Although depression is a frequently discussed disorder among young adults, it is also a problem many older adults encounter, mainly those experiencing transitions in their lives (such as retirement) or dealing with solitude or serious medical conditions.
Increasing numbers of older adults in the area are opting for NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, an FDA-cleared treatment for major depressive disorder. As an alternative to medications that appeal to those who experience systemic side effects from antidepressants, NeuroStar TMS is a non-invasive procedure that affects the brain without affecting the body’s systems.
NeuroStar TMS is a method of applying precisely targeted magnetic pulses to the brain areas that function incorrectly in individuals who experience depression. This treatment restores the brain’s functioning and regularizes energy, mood, and motivation levels.
The NeuroStar TMS procedure has specific advantages in older patients:
Elderly patients may already take medications for other medical issues. The addition of antidepressants can, at times, cause dangerous drug interactions. Antidepressants have systemic side effects and can cause dizziness, tiredness, or confusion. NeuroStar TMS is a medication-free alternative treatment for depression.
The benefits of NeuroStar TMS treatments for older Columbia patients include:
Several Columbia clinics offering NeuroStar TMS therapy for older individuals have treatment teams who work regularly with elderly patients. These providers understand the ways in which these patients might be differently affected by their conditions and provide treatments that meet their needs.
If you are struggling with treatment-resistant depression, NeuroStar TMS may be a feasible therapeutic option—whether you reside independently, with family members, or in an assisted living community. The most common treatment schedules require five sessions a week for seven weeks. Since it is an outpatient procedure, you go home afterward and return to your normal activities.
If you or your family member is thinking about undergoing NeuroStar TMS treatments, here are some questions to ask mental health care providers:
Most of our older Columbia patients experience an improvement in their mood, energy levels, and activity levels four to six weeks after starting NeuroStar TMS sessions. While each individual’s response varies, most patients show improvement when they finish receiving treatment.
Among the largest trials conducted on real-life patients, 83 percent experienced improvement in their symptoms after NeuroStar TMS treatments (Sackeim HA, et al. (2020). J Affect Disord, 277:65 74. Based on a real-world, retrospective study using CGI-S and a sample size of 615 patients. In older adults, this can mean increased independence, better quality of life, and a restored sense of engagement with the world around them.
Older adults who found it hard to leave their beds, engage in their passions, or interact with other people tend to experience improved concentration and emotional endurance after undergoing the treatments. Some even become open to other forms of intervention, such as counseling or social care, after NeuroStar TMS sessions.
Depression in older adults is often unrecognized or misunderstood. Some people think a low mood or lack of energy is a normal part of getting older, but it is not. People need to seek treatment for depression regardless of their age.
Unfortunately, older adults tend not to pursue treatment because they think that there is a stigma around mental illness or that they should endure depression uncomplainingly. The NeuroStar TMS procedure is a science-driven alternative to medication that does not interfere with elderly Columbia patients’ lifestyles. If we determine you are a good candidate for NeuroStar TMS therapy and you decide to undergo it, it could empower you to reclaim your initiative, reconnect socially and emotionally with your family and friends, and participate enthusiastically in activities you have ceased to enjoy.
If you or a loved one is suffering from treatment-resistant depression, TMS therapy for elderly patients in Columbia, Towson, and Silver Spring could provide symptom relief. NeuroStar TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder that works well for those who do not wish to take medications.
Our local clinics are here to explain your treatment options, answer your questions, and help you determine whether NeuroStar TMS therapy is a good fit for you. Our experienced staff specializes in caring for older adults. We work to make each patient feel safe, heard, and supported.
Call us today to schedule a consultation and discover whether NeuroStar TMS treatments could improve your mental health and your quality of life.
