Many people with major depressive disorder take the right and necessary steps to seek treatment, however, treatment does not always work. Those who do not reap the positive effects of medication and struggle with the negative side effects can be described as having treatment-resistant depression.
Forty-five percent of major depressive disorder patients are treatment-resistant. Patients with treatment-resistant depression experience up to an 80% relapse rate of their depressive symptoms as well as a lower quality of productivity and life. Unfortunately, this staggering statistic means those with treatment-resistant depression are two times as likely to attempt suicide than their treatment-responsive peers. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a viable option for treatment-resistant depression. Psychotherapy has a strong efficacy rate and is a helpful solution for those struggling with their medication.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) also offers a solution for treatment-resistant depression with minimal side effects. Those in TMS therapy experience mild headaches and scalp discomfort compared to insomnia, GI distress, fatigue, nausea, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and dry mouth, symptoms many experience while taking medication. At Active Path, 79% of our patients showed a greater than 25% reduction in PHQ-9 depression scores while 56%+ of our patients experience a 50% reduction in PHQ-9 depression scores.
To see if TMS therapy is the right fit for you or a loved one call 503-719-4648 for a free consultation.
For more information on TMS, visit our TMS Treatment Defined page.
Papakostas, G.I., Fava, M (2010). Pharmacotherapy for depression and treatment-resistant depression. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific
M;, Brådvik L;Berglund. “Long-Term Treatment and Suicidal Behavior in Severe Depression: Ect and Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy May Have Different Effects on the Occurrence and Seriousness of Suicide Attempts.” Depression and Anxiety, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16315268/.
