TMS TherapyOffers Hope
Medication and Talk Therapy Aren’t the Only Options
If you’ve noticed a loved one is suffering from the effects of depression or OCD, TMS therapy may be able to help. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared non-invasive treatment option for people with treatment-resistant depression or OCD. It’s a safe and effective treatment for depression and/or OCD with minimal side effects and no known effects on cognition or sleep.
“I would say you’ve got nothing to lose. And everything to gain. And I think you’ll be surprised at what it can do for you.” – Todd, TMS Patient
Starting or Restarting the Conversation on Mental Health
Someone living with a mental illness may not immediately notice that they aren’t experiencing relief from medication. Or they may start to believe that no treatment will work for them. Your loved one may be suffering with unmanaged symptoms of depression or OCD, or they may be unhappy with the side effects of medication.
So how do you start a conversation that your loved one may want to consider TMS, therapy or both?
Try following these tips for having a mental health talk:
- Be sure your loved one knows you want to have an important conversation.
- Anticipate that they may get upset.
- Express that you care about them.
- Use “I” statements to express your concern about their mental state.
- Remind them that alternative treatments exist that are safe and have minimal side effects.
- If therapy is the next step, help find a professional and schedule the first appointment.
- Offer to go with them to the appointment even if your loved one refuses to attend.
Help your loved one recognize if they could have depression with the following self-assessment:
How to Talk About TMS Therapy
When discussing treatment options with your loved one, it’s important to remember that there is no single treatment that has been proven to work for everyone. Antidepressants may help many people, but some people experience no benefits or cannot tolerate their side effects. TMS therapy is an alternative treatment that can help people who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from antidepressants.
It may help to share the personal experiences of other patients who have used TMS therapy. Read reviews and quotes from our patients.