Understanding Depression: A Q&A Guide

Q: What symptoms suggest I might have major depression?

A: It can be challenging to distinguish between temporary low moods and clinical depression. However, major depression significantly impacts your body, mind, emotions, and energy levels, and rarely resolves on its own. Untreated depression increases the risk of physical illness and substance misuse. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer, it's crucial to seek professional help:

• Depressed mood nearly every day.

• Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.

• Significant weight gain or unplanned weight loss.

• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

• Insomnia or excessive sleep.

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.

• Restlessness or slowed movements.

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help.

Q: How are brainwaves related to depression?

A: Specific brain regions are associated with emotions and mood. In individuals with depression, brainwave patterns differ from those without. These differences reflect altered nerve activity, indicating that the brain's communication pathways are not functioning optimally. Researchers have identified abnormal brainwaves that may predict the onset of depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can modulate these brainwaves to improve depressive symptoms.

Q: What is Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS)?

A: PrTMS utilizes TMS to treat depression, but it enhances the standard procedure by tailoring therapy to each individual's unique brainwave patterns. MindSet employs a three-step process to optimize PrTMS results:

1. Brainwave Mapping: An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to map brainwave activity. An AI program analyzes the EEG data to create an accurate image of the brain's electrical activity, identifying brain arrhythmias.

2. Symptom Assessment: Patients complete a questionnaire to identify their specific symptoms. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into their mental health and allows for targeted treatment of specific brain regions associated with their challenges.

3. Personalized Protocol Development: The EEG data and self-reported symptoms are processed by advanced AI software. This program generates the information necessary to create a customized PrTMS therapy protocol for each individual's unique brain map.

Q: What can I expect during PrTMS treatment?

A: PrTMS treatment typically involves five sessions per week for 6-8 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes, and patients can resume their normal activities immediately afterward. Throughout the treatment, regular EEGs are conducted to monitor progress and refine the PrTMS therapy. This ongoing evaluation allows for the use of the lowest effective TMS intensity to achieve optimal results. Many patients experience improvements in their depression symptoms within a few weeks of starting PrTMS treatment, and some may notice results within a few days.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, especially if conventional treatments have been ineffective, PrTMS may be a beneficial option. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.