When you struggle with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, it can be difficult to figure out the right treatment. Friends, online information, and recommendations from healthcare providers may give you different opinions. With so many options available, it is normal to wonder which treatment makes the most sense for you.
NeuroStar TMS gives you another option to consider. When patients in McLean compare Neurostar TMS therapy vs. other treatments, they often want to understand how it works and what the experience is like compared to things like medication and talk therapy.
One of the biggest differences between NeuroStar TMS and many other treatments is the amount of contact you have with a healthcare professional during treatment. When you take medication, most of the treatment occurs at home. While you may also have occasional appointments with your provider, you largely manage your day-to-day treatment.
Talk therapy usually involves meeting with a therapist once a week or every other week. While those appointments are important, they generally require less frequent office visits than NeuroStar TMS. With NeuroStar TMS, you visit the office for treatment five days a week during the active phase of care (6 to 7 weeks). Each appointment is about 20 minutes, and you can return to work, school, or your normal routine afterward. The schedule is more structured than what you may experience with medication management or traditional therapy.
This is often one of the first things our McLean patients notice when comparing Neurostar TMS therapy with other options. The treatment itself is non-invasive and does not involve surgery or anesthesia, but it does require a commitment to regular visits throughout the course of treatment.
NeuroStar TMS requires frequent visits because of how the technology works. The treatment uses magnetic pulse stimulation similar to MRI technology, and stimulates specific areas of the brain that regulate mood and OCD symptoms.
Other treatments, such as medication, circulate throughout the body and can cause systemic side effects. Unlike those alternatives, the NeuroStar TMS we offer targets specific areas of the brain. It also differs from talk therapy because it does not rely on discussion, coping strategies, or behavioral exercises during the session.
NeuroStar TMS’s effects build gradually over time. Since the brain responds to repeated stimulation, a single session is not enough to create the desired effect. Many people start to notice changes after four to six weeks, although every experience is different.
When you are deciding how to move forward with treatment, it helps to understand what makes each option different. NeuroStar TMS offers a non-invasive approach without the systemic side effects from medication or invasive procedures. At the same time, it requires a greater commitment to regular office visits because of how the treatment works in the brain.
If you have been researching Neurostar TMS therapy and other potential treatments, our team is here to help answer your questions and determine whether NeuroStar TMS may be a good fit for your care plan. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more.
