Many adults living with major depressive disorder struggle to find relief. For some, antidepressant medications do not bring the desired improvement, while others experience side effects that are difficult to tolerate.

At BayView Professional Associates, we offer advanced treatment options designed to provide hope, healing, and a better quality of life for those who haven’t found success with traditional approaches.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

BayView Professional Associates offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The therapy Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven’t been effective.

What is TMS?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a series of repetitive, brief, and highly focused magnetic pulses used to stimulate brain cells. TMS is an effective, non-invasive, outpatient treatment with few known adverse effects.

TMS is currently used in the treatment of major depressive disorder and is usually prescribed when anti-depressants have failed.

How does TMS work?

When a nerve cell ‘fires’, an electrical impulse travels along its length. It communicates with other nerve cells by releasing neurotransmitters, which create an electrical impulse in other cells. In depressed patients, the electrical activity in certain areas of the brain has been shown to be reduced. TMS uses a focused electromagnetic coil, to rapidly pulse a magnetic field to the targeted area of the brain.

The magnetic pulses induce an electrical current in the brain, stimulating the nerve cells, increasing the brain activity to normal levels.

Is TMS an option for me?

TMS therapy is appropriate for adults with major depressive disorder, who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode.

This means that if you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and medication is not working, or the side effects are intolerable, you should ask your doctor about TMS.

Link for more information on TMS you can visit: How does TMS work

How does Spravato work?

Spravato is nasal spray that targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and is believed to work differently than currently available oral antidepressants which mostly treat depression by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that affects mood. For best results, candidates will take the Spravato treatments along with an oral depressant.

What should be expected during Spravato session?

Spravato is administered at BayView in a dedicated treatment room. The Spravato treatment sessions last approximately three hours and are typically performed two days per week for four weeks followed by every other week for up to one year. Following each session, a person is unable to drive for the rest of the day and should limit activities. Additional treatment sessions may be needed to reach desired results.

To learn more about Spravato click here.