Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Agoura Hills

About Depression

Depression impacts 21 million adults in the U.S, based on the latest data from the NIMH. Both adult and teen depression is on the rise. About 4.1 million adolescents, or 17% of teens aged 12 to 17, had a least one major depressive episode in 2020, compared to 15% the year before. A study published in 2022 states that, among high school-aged teens, 36.7% reported feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness. Also, 18.8% in this age group said they had seriously considered suicide.

Symptoms of depression for teens or adults may include:

Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or despair
Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Feeling hostile or angry
Fatigue
Irritability
Slowed movements and cognitive functioning
Loss of interest in the activities once enjoyed
Sleep problems

Feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness
Hypersensitivity
Mood swings
Decline in school or work performance
School or work absenteeism
Frequent headaches or stomach distress
Self-harming behaviors
Thoughts of suicide

For a diagnosis of depression, at least five symptoms must be present most of the time for over two weeks.

Causes of Depression

While the exact cause of depression remains unknown, there are some risk factors that have been identified. These include:

Hormones
Puberty-related hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of depression in teens.
Trauma
History of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, or any traumatic life event may be a risk factor for depression.
Heredity
Someone with a family history of depression has an increased probability of also developing depression.
Undeveloped coping skills
A teen or adult may not have the coping skills to manage stress, disappointment, or emotions.
Brain chemicals
There may be a brain chemistry imbalance present, which occurs when neurotransmitters are impaired or abnormal.
Personality traits
Our personality traits affect how we react to stressors or negative life events.

About TMS

TMS has been prescribed as a treatment for depression since 2007. It has been studied extensively around the world, and has shown promising results for reducing depression symptoms. TMS provides a safe and effective alternative to antidepressants.

TMS is administered for a period of 4-6 weeks, with each session lasting about forty minutes in duration. The treatments are given in an office setting, while the patient is comfortably seated. No medication is involved with TMS treatment, with allows the patient to resume normal activities following the sessions.

During the TMS session, a coil is placed over the scalp and then emits electro-magnetic pulses that feel like a light tapping sensation. Teens and adults can pass the time watching television or viewing their smartphones.

The magnetic fields penetrate the scalp and target brain cells located in the limbic region. This speeds up the neural activity, which results in a reduction of depression symptoms over the course of TMS treatment.

With few side effects, TMS therapy is well tolerated. After a couple of weeks of TMS treatments, patients begin to notice they are sleeping better and feel more alert. By the end of the TMS treatment period, the teen or adult enjoys a better mood state in general.

BNI Clinics Offers TMS Treatment for Depression

If you or your teen is struggling with depression, consider a treatment course of TMS therapy at BNI Clinics. Call us today at (310) 691-5005.

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Agoura Hills

About Depression

Causes of Depression

About TMS

BNI Clinics Offers TMS Treatment for Depression

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(310) 691-5005