Struggle with depression?
What is depression?
A depression can take many forms. Feeling heavy and tired before the day even starts. Grief, emptiness and exhaustion that cannot be ignored. At night, thoughts keep racing, preventing sleep. Even when people are around, the loneliness feels overwhelming. Seeking comfort in food, or being unable to eat because of the intense sadness that overshadows everything. The mind is full, but the heart feels empty. A struggle with guilt and the feeling of failure because your happiness seems more and more out of reach.
When is it considered a depression?
You are depressed when you experience a low mood and/or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities for an extended period (at least two weeks). This is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, disordered sleep, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes preoccupation with death. The symptoms must be present daily and significantly impair your functioning in social, work, or other areas.
This can make it difficult to keep up with work, household chores, or personal hygiene. Tasks can require a lot of energy, which may lead to disrupted sleep patterns. Depression ranges from mild to severe and can be diagnosed and treated by mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. In a depressive disorder, at least five DSM-5 symptoms, including one core symptom, must be present for two weeks. Subtypes include seasonal affective disorder and postpartum depression.
The severity depends on the number of symptoms, level of distress, social dysfunction, and comorbidities. Depression can be caused by genetics, brain chemistry, life events, and environmental factors. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide.
How does the brain function in people with depression?
Disrupted communication between brain regions
In depression, the brain functions different than usual. The communication between brain cells, also known as neurons, is disrupted, particularly in areas responsible for emotions, motivation, and processing rewards. Two key neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, play a crucial role in this process. In people with depression, the balance of these substances is often disturbed, leading to feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and a lack of energy.
Amygdala and prefrontal cortex
Additionally, there is often increased activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, while the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and regulating emotions, is less active. This causes negative emotions to feel more intense and harder to control. There is also often impaired functioning of the hippocampus, the area involved in memory and learning, which can contribute to the sense of hopelessness and negative self-image commonly seen in depression. These changes in the brain can make the symptoms of depression both mentally and physically burdensome.
A drug-free treatment option
The treatment of depression can include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these. For some individuals, due to personal or medical reasons, medication may not be an option. That’s why we offer a medication-free treatment for depression through rTMS.
With long-term positive effects, this is a real breakthrough for anyone struggling with depression and/or treatment-resistant depression. rTMS focuses on stimulating specific brain areas, which can help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Break free from the vicious cycle
Seeking treatment early for depression is crucial as it increases the chances of a faster and more effective recovery. The sooner symptoms are recognized and treated, the greater the chance of improvement and breaking the negative cycle that depression brings. Seeking help prevents the symptoms from worsening and keeps you from falling into a downward spiral where the symptoms and issues reinforce each other.
rTMS offers relief from depressive symptoms
Do you think you might be struggling with depression, or have you been diagnosed and are looking for a drug-free treatment? Treatment at rTMS International consists of 30-50 sessions to achieve therapeutic effects. Many clients experience significant relief or improvement in their symptoms after 20-30 sessions.
Before starting treatment, we arrange an initial consultation with you to get a clear picture of your symptoms. rTMS has long-term effects, even after the treatment ends. Positive effects are often noticeable after fifteen sessions, and in some cases, booster sessions may be needed after six months or more to maintain the antidepressant effect.
“Can I start rTMS if I am on medication?”
Yes, many clients continue taking their medication, including antidepressants, during rTMS treatment. Some medications may affect the effectiveness of rTMS. It is important to discuss your medication use with your doctor first.
Frequently asked
Wanneer er sprake is van een therapie resistente depressie en je voor volledige vergoeding in aanmerking wilt komen, dan is er een verwijzing van de huisarts of psychiater nodig. Wanneer je liever anoniem behandeld wilt worden, zonder dat de huisarts of zorgverzekeraar afweten van jouw klachten, dan is er uiteraard ook geen verwijzing nodig. Ook dan geldt dat er sprake moet zijn van een therapie resistente depressie of dwangstoornis.
Op de contactpagina onder het contactformulier zie je de actuele wachtlijst per vestiging.
rTMS is een techniek die eind jaren 1990 werd geïntroduceerd als behandeling voor depressie. Sindsdien is wetenschappelijk en klinisch onderzoek uitgevoerd om de veiligheid van de behandeling vast te stellen en de meest effectieve protocollen te onderzoeken. Vast is komen te staan dat rTMS een veilige methode is die bij een groot deel van de cliënten bijdraagt aan het verminderen van depressie en/of dwang gerelateerde klachten. Verschillende publicaties laten zien dat cliënten met de diagnose “therapieresistent” positief reageerden op behandeling met rTMS. rTMS is sinds 2008 goedgekeurd door de FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Een behandeling met rTMS wordt doorgaans goed verdragen en heeft weinig tot geen bijwerkingen. Je neemt plaats op de behandelstoel waarna de spoel die de magnetische pulsen afgeeft tegen jouw hoofd wordt geplaatst. Door de magnetische pulsen worden bepaalde hersengebieden gestimuleerd. Een behandeling met rTMS kan lichte spanningshoofdpijn veroorzaken na afloop van de behandeling. Om dit te ondervangen kun je eventueel vooraf een paracetamol nemen.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
