About Depression

Depression* is a serious illness affecting more than 14 million American adults every year. Only 7 million seek treatment and of those only 3.2 million are adequately treated after 1 year of treatment. Over 4 million patients with a serious mental illness are not treated effectively because of lack of response or intolerant to side effects. . Those who do not find full relief from antidepressant medication are often excellent TMS candidates. Click Here to Learn More About Our Clinical and Safety Results.

More About Depression

While the exact cause of depression is not known, strong scientific evidence supports that depression is caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters. Depression is often under-estimated and of the 7 million who seek treatment, only one-third find immediate relief. Each year in the US, over 30,000 people die by suicide, 60% of whom suffer from depression. Overall, women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from depression; however, some experts feel that depression in men is under-reported. It may interfere with your thoughts, behavior, mood, and even short term and long term physical health. Depression has no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries. About two-thirds of those who experience an episode of depression will have at least one other episode in their lives. Learn more about depression symptoms by visiting the National Institute of Mental Health website.

Our Approach to Treating Your Depression

We recognize that depression is often a biological illness, as real as heart disease and diabetes. We approach your treatment with our unique Bio-Psycho-Social Model. Each of these have an effect on the chemistry of the brain and each contribute to a downward spiral of mood, which can result in depression.

 “Bio” (Biology): We understand that the chemistry of the brain is affected by biology. Biology includes genetics, proper nutrition, sunlight, exercise, sleep.

 “Psycho” (Psychology): This refers to one's psychological defense mechanisms of the brain. For example, if someone's a worrier or pessimist- this has an effect on your mood- potentially causing depression.

 “Social” (Environmental – Your Relationships): Environmental stresses contribute to your brain's chemistry. Examples are a difficult marriage, tough boss, a traumatic experience or a poor relationship. These negative influences may result in sleep problems, that then results in work tardiness. These Social stresses impact your mood and depression.

Our first role is to normalize your brain's chemical imbalance, so that we can then address some of the underlying reasons for your depression. Studies conclude that antidepressant medication may not work for over one-third of those suffering with depression. For those who do not receive benefit, the next antidepressant has an even lesser chance of working. This is where TMS may help. We have had outstanding results with TMS treatments for those that did not get full relief from many antidepressants. See our Clinical and Safety Results.

Do You Have Depression?

According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-IV-TR) 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 a 5% monthly weight gain

• 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

If you feel you are experiencing any of these depression symptoms, contact our office to discuss depression treatment options at 1-212-751-5072.

*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.

Greenberg, PE, et al. The economic burden of depressive disorders in the United States: How did it change between 1990 and 2000? Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2003; 64 (12): 1465-1475.

Murray CJ, Lopez AD. Evidence-based health policy – lessons from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Science. 1996; 274 (5288): 740-743.

Heron, Melonie, et al. Deaths: Final Data for 2006. National Vital Statistics Reports, 57 (14). April 17, 2009.

Kessler, RC, et al. The epidemiology of major depressive disorder; results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA. 2003; 289(23): 3095-3105.

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