Depression is a disease that stems from inactivity in certain parts of the brain. It is a very serious illness affecting approximately 350 million people worldwide. While medications may help manage symptoms, many patients are not satisfied with the results they get from standard antidepressant drug therapy. Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center is bringing new hope to patients every day with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a new drug-free treatment for depression.

TMS is an FDA-approved therapy for adults with major depression who have not adequately benefited from antidepressant medication. The procedure uses highly focused magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain known to affect mood regulation. TMS targets areas of the brain that tend to be underactive in adults with depression. It is non-invasive and free of the side effects that patients often experience when they take antidepressants, such as weight gain, nausea and mood swings.

TMS is an outpatient procedure. Each treatment takes approximately 37 minutes and patients receive therapy five days a week for approximately four to six weeks. During treatment, patients are awake and alert. There is no recovery time, no risk of memory loss or other negative side effects. Patients can go back to their normal activities immediately after each treatment.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, call Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center at
954-734-2000 ext. 2266 or 954-734-2001. Our TMS specialists are available to answer questions and schedule consultations.