7 Healthcast: TMS Depression

"I have been dealing with depression for most of my life," said Alyssa Perper, a patient.

The 28-year-old Perper said she tried just about everything to treat her depression, but nothing seemed to work.

"I went to different psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and tried 101 different medications with very little results," said Perper.

So, Alyssa turned to McLean Hospital in Belmont and a relatively new treatment called, TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

"A coil is applied to a patient's head and the coil is delivering magnetic stimulation constantly based on a program that stimulation is changing mood or brain function," said Dr. Oscar Morales, TMS Director.

TMS is a way to excite the neurons in the brain and it's completely non-invasive. Patients are treated daily, for about four to six weeks. Doctor Oscar Morales says it’s not an instant fix, most patients will gradually see an improvement.

"I did have good results after my first round of TMS. My mood is definitely better. I feel more alert and awake. I can concentrate and it's not a chore to wake up in the morning," said Perper.

Dr. Morales says while TMS may not work for everyone battling depression, it can be very helpful for many patients.

"Most importantly, if anything, they recover self-confidence. They become more optimistic about themselves," said Dr. Morales.

Dr. Morales tells us there are a few side effects to TMS treatments, such as a minor headache.

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