Peoria and Phoenix NeuroStar TMS Therapy vs. Other Treatments

As you begin to investigate treatment options for your major depressive disorder (MDD), especially if you experience some form of treatment-resistant depression, you will probably start asking which is the best. An even better question to ask is not which treatment is the best overall, but which treatment might be the best for you. A good starting point is to consider NeuroStar TMS therapy vs. other treatments in Peoria or Phoenix.

NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an excellent choice for treating MDD. It helps address your MDD symptoms by targeting specific regions in your brain using magnetic fields. This can help stimulate brain activity and alleviate depression symptoms.

How TMS Differs From Other Treatments

When exploring how NeuroStar TMS compares to other therapy options in Phoenix or Peoria, there are various elements to consider. NeuroStar TMS is a non-invasive treatment option. This means it requires no surgery and no downtime after treatment sessions. TMS side effects are often milder than those caused by other treatment options, especially psychiatric medications. NeuroStar TMS therapy offers solutions to the challenges and limitations of traditional MDD treatments. However, as with any mental health treatment, patients often see the best results when they use NeuroStar TMS therapy in conjunction with other treatment options—especially psychotherapy.

When To Choose TMS

You should not pursue TMS therapy if you have any kind of electronic or magnetic metal implant, as they can be dislodged or affected by the NeuroStar TMS magnetic pulses and cause you harm. You should also avoid TMS therapy if you have a history of epilepsy, seizures, or other conditions that may affect your brain. While it is rare, NeuroStar TMS therapy can increase your risk of seizures.

Other Treatments Offered by Desert View Counseling

Our skilled team can provide a myriad of treatments to help you address your depression. We will help you decide if you would benefit from NeuroStar TMS therapy or whether one of our other treatments would better meet your needs.

Spravato

Spravato is an intranasal spray that contains esketamine. It is effective at treating the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, offering an additional treatment choice if you do not want to pursue NeuroStar TMS therapy.

Spravato is FDA-approved for use alongside traditional antidepressant medications. If you choose Spravato, you maintain your standard medication regimen and add three Spravato treatments a week for four to six weeks—although the treatment time may vary depending on your specific needs and situation. Spravato is administered on-site at our office and requires a brief observation period after each treatment to help monitor for side effects.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy refers to meeting and having discussions with a licensed therapist. The goal of these discussions is to better understand how your brain works. This may involve examining your thoughts and behaviors and learning how your experiences may lead to your thought patterns. By understanding how your brain is currently wired, you can work on modifying or adapting the wiring, building a new neural network that can help change the way you think and feel.

Medication Management

Psychiatric medications are one of the main treatment options for mental health concerns—especially depression. It can be daunting to understand each medication and how it may affect you or which might work best for you. Our skilled staff can help you navigate the process, from psychiatric assessment and prescriptions to appointments and lab tests. We want to help you manage your mental health effectively.

It is important to know what treatment options are available to you. If you are thinking about Peoria and Phoenix NeuroStar TMS therapy vs. other treatments, Desert View Counseling is here to help. Reach out and schedule a consultation today to find out which treatment option might be best for you.