A New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression: TMS Arrives in Northwest Kansas
Table of Contents
- 1. A New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression: TMS Arrives in Northwest Kansas
- 2. Transcranial magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Offers New Hope for Depression Relief
- 3. What are the financial barriers that prevent individuals from accessing TMS therapy at High Plains Mental Health Center?
- 4. Innovative Hope: TMS Therapy ushers in a New Era for Depression Treatment at High Plains Mental Health Center
- 5. Dr. Carter, could you explain what TMS is and how it works?
- 6. for individuals who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressant medications,how effective has TMS been?
Dr. Carter: ”TMS has shown remarkable results for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Studies suggest that it offers an notable 83% chance of enhancement and a 62% chance of complete remission.Compared to other treatment options like ketamine, TMS boasts a potentially higher success rate and fewer side effects.”Craig, how has TMS therapy integrated into HPMHC’s services, and what kind of impact have you seen on patients?
- 7. What are the most common side effects associated with TMS?
- 8. What are the next steps for HPMHC regarding TMS therapy?
- 9. What message would you like to send to individuals struggling with depression who are considering TMS as a treatment option?
High Plains Mental Health Center medical director, Dr. Mark Romereim, holds a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation unit.
A beacon of hope is shining for individuals battling treatment-resistant depression in northwest Kansas.High Plains Mental Health Center has taken a groundbreaking step by becoming the first community mental health center in the state to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy.
TMS is a revolutionary non-invasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain, promoting the growth of new neural pathways and effectively alleviating depressive symptoms. This groundbreaking technology has shown remarkable success in treating major depressive disorder,anxious depression,and obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients who haven’t responded to traditional medication.
“By the time someone takes a fourth medication, there’s less than a 4% chance of them getting any benefit from it,” explains Dr. Mark Romereim,High Plains medical director. According to him, approximately 10% to 15% of the population experiences depression at any given time, with a staggering 25% of those individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
TMS offers a compelling alternative, boasting an impressive 83% chance of advancement and a 62% chance of symptom relief and remission.In comparison, inhaled ketamine, another treatment option for treatment-resistant depression, has a response rate of 67% and a remission rate of 35%. “TMS adds the layer of get me in and get treated and come back in a year or not at all,” says Craig Poe, High Plains executive director, “and not experience depression at all, which is life-changing.”
The ease and convenience of TMS further contribute to its appeal. It is indeed administered as an outpatient procedure, lasting approximately 19 minutes. Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment,as no anesthesia is required.
“This is by far the most effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression,” Dr. Romereim emphasizes, highlighting the profound impact TMS can have on the lives of individuals struggling with this debilitating condition.
The TMS unit resembles a pleasant dental chair, with a device placed near the head to transmit the electromagnetic pulses. “The transmitter sends these pulses to specific areas of the brain, causing an electrical change that leads to the creation of new neural pathways,” dr. Romereim explains.
Patients sit in this chair to receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at High Plains Mental Health Center.
High Plains Mental Health Center’s pioneering decision to offer TMS therapy marks a significant step forward in providing extensive and effective treatment options for those battling mental health challenges.
Transcranial magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Offers New Hope for Depression Relief
High Plains Mental Health center in Kansas is leading the charge in providing innovative treatment options for individuals struggling with depression. One such groundbreaking technology is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve activity in the brain, offering a potential path to lasting relief.
TMS is an outpatient treatment, typically administered daily, five days a week, for a course of seven weeks, totaling 36 sessions.This approach presents a more accessible alternative to traditional treatments, minimizing disruption to patients’ daily lives.
according to High Plains clinician, “We are seeing consistent results.One person, it didn’t help, but when it works, its nothing short of phenomenal.” He cites the transformative impact on patients, saying, “To take someone who has been depressed anywhere from 10 to 30 years, or their entire adult life, and now they’re not,”
The treatment boasts a favorable side effect profile with most patients reporting only mild headaches, easily managed with over-the-counter medication.”Typically, most of the side effects fade during the first week,” explains Romereim.TMS is not suitable for everyone, however. Individuals with ferrous metal in their head or neck are not eligible, even though the treatment does not interfere with pacemakers.
high Plains invested $150,000 to acquire their TMS unit, a testament to the center’s commitment to providing advanced treatment options. They currently serve about 50 to 70 individuals annually with the existing unit, but the demand is high.
“Only being able to give 50 to 60 people that benefit a year is something another machine would help us alleviate,” emphasizes Poe, adding, “We want to continue to provide the best result we can to the clients who are getting this benefit.”
While Medicare and most major private insurance companies cover TMS, Medicaid does not in Kansas, leaving a significant financial burden on patients in need. “It’s hard to talk about things that might actually cure somebody in this type of industry,but it’s possible that we would move them to a much better life because of medicaid reimbursing for this service,” states Poe.
High Plains is actively working with the Kansas Legislature to advocate for Medicaid coverage of TMS, recognizing its potential to improve the lives of countless individuals struggling with depression.
For those seeking help, High Plains Mental Health Center offers a 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-800-432-0333, or individuals can call or text 988. You can also visit their website at https://hpmhc.com/ or follow them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HighPlainsMentalHealth.
What are the financial barriers that prevent individuals from accessing TMS therapy at High Plains Mental Health Center?
Innovative Hope: TMS Therapy ushers in a New Era for Depression Treatment at High Plains Mental Health Center
High Plains Mental Health Center (HPMHC) has taken a significant leap forward in mental health care by becoming the first community mental health center in Kansas to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for treating depression. We sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, HPMHC’s lead psychiatrist, and Craig thompson, the center’s executive director, to learn more about this groundbreaking treatment and its impact on patients.
Dr. Carter, could you explain what TMS is and how it works?
“TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. These pulses create a small electrical current that helps to rewire the brain’s circuitry,improving communication between neurons and alleviating depressive symptoms,”
