You don’t have to be overwhelmed as you are navigating your mental health treatment journey. At Genesis TMS and Wellness, our first priority is to help you make an informed decision by giving you access to resources and information. We empower our patients and educate them about the range of treatment options available, with a focus on safe, effective, and budget-friendly options.
If you’re looking for a mental health treatment that hits each one of those categories, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy might be right for you. Below, we compare NeuroStar TMS therapy to other mental health treatments, including more popular and mainstream treatment options.
For most patients, medication is the first-line recommended treatment. One important aspect of medication is that for most patients, it is very safe when used as intended, since they are heavily studied in clinical trials.
However, medications are not always the best treatment option for patients. They often come with unpleasant side effects that can seriously impair your quality of life. Many patients have had to switch between medications with unsuccessful results, or found that their medications did not alleviate symptomatic treatment.
Psychotherapy (commonly known as just “therapy”) involves confidential sessions with a licensed psychotherapist. During these sessions, your therapist employs various therapeutic techniques to explore the underlying causes of your difficulties.
While psychotherapy offers significant benefits to many patients, there are drawbacks. First, the cost can be prohibitive, particularly when patients do not have insurance coverage. Additionally, the effectiveness of therapy varies widely and is not guaranteed. Some patients may not experience tangible results for months or even years, potentially leading to frustration and wasted time. Unlike treatments targeting underlying causes, psychotherapy focuses on managing symptoms only.
ECT, short for electroconvulsive therapy, is a medical procedure where controlled seizures are induced in patients using an electrical current. ECT is a physical treatment that works to stimulate brain activity. Activating these brain cells will improve their activity and their ability to communicate with each other.
One of the major benefits of ECT is that it can treat a spectrum of mental health disorders beyond major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including bipolar disorder, mania, schizophrenia, and other severe psychiatric conditions.
One of the most concerning risks of ECT is its potential to induce temporary memory loss, which may make it unsuitable for some patients. While generally safe, physical side effects like headaches and nausea can occur.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a mental health treatment that can be used to target a variety of mental health conditions. Unlike traditional therapies, CBT does not address the symptoms themselves, instead empowering patients to manage their lives more effectively, by modifying thought patterns and behaviors.
CBT can accommodate patients of all ages, including pregnant women, and it is available in various formats. However, like traditional therapy, attending sessions can be time-consuming, and progress may unfold gradually over months or years. The cost can also be prohibitive for patients who lack insurance coverage.
TMS is a physical treatment that works to alleviate symptoms associated with diminished brain function. Unlike ECT, TMS does not induce seizures; rather, it gently stimulates the brain using electromagnetic waves—a very safe technology that is also used in MRI treatment.
At Genesis, we recommend NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy. This treatment is recognized as a leading treatment of its kind, and can be a good treatment option for our patients. NeuroStar is FDA-approved, non-surgical, and low-risk—these are just some of the reasons why it is the preferred choice by doctors.
Genesis TMS and Wellness can help you discover a treatment plan that is optimized for your whole being. If you are considering NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy and comparing it to other treatment options, we can help you select the treatment option that is best for you. Schedule your consultation today in Alexandria or Fairfax.
