Depression is a serious medical illness affecting more than 14 million American adults every year1. Often a debilitating disorder, depression results in a persistent state of sadness or loss of interest or pleasure which interferes with an individual's thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health.
According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association, depression is diagnosed when an individual is experiencing either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure plus four or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:
- Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain (a change of more than five percent of body weight in a month)
- Significant increase or decrease in appetite
- Excessive sleepiness or insomnia
- Agitation and restlessness
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Several treatments for depression exist, such as antidepressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), among others. Depression counseling and therapy is also available instead of or in conjunction with other treatment options. TMS therapy in particular is a new, extremely exciting new non-invasive treatment for depression. We have used TMS to help many people who have suffered with treatment resistant depression, in some cases, their entire life. At South Texas TMS, we partner with you, our patient, through the course of evaluation and treatment. This allows us to understand your needs, describe the most effective treatment options, and support you in your efforts toward improving your specific health issues.
Our practice has had great success in treating people with depression, and we truly feel we can help you or your loved one. Please call us today at (210) 495-4888 so we can tell you about the work we're doing with patients to help free them from their depression.
References:
- Kessler, RC, et al. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun: 62 (6):617-27.