TMS For Bipolar Depression
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Houston West TMS
William K. Drell, M.D.
TMS Specialist located in Houston, TX
Bipolar disorder comes with extreme highs and lows. When you’re experiencing a depressive episode, consult with William Drell, MD, of Houston West TMS in Houston, Texas. As a Brainsway Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) specialist and board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Drell can help you determine if Deep TMS treatments may help reduce your depressive symptoms. Please be aware that TMS is not FDA approved for the treatment of Bipolar Depression. It is an off label treatment that is not covered by insurance. Call the office or request an appointment online to benefit from his expert care.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Bipolar Depression Q & A
What are the symptoms of bipolar depression?
When you’re suffering a depressive episode related to bipolar disorder, it can make it difficult for you to do the things you need or want to do. You just don’t feel like yourself.
Seek support if you’re feeling depressed or loved ones comment on your condition. Signs that you’re in a depressive phase include:
- Feelings of sadness, worry, or emptiness
- Having little to no energy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling like you can’t enjoy anything or get motivated
- Having a hard time getting out of bed
- Eating too little or too much
- Having trouble focusing or remembering things
- Difficulty making decisions
- Contemplating suicide or death
Bipolar depression may present with some or all of these symptoms. Usually, you experience down feelings for a long time — two weeks or more. Episodes of bipolar depression can strike rarely, or several times a year.
How is bipolar depression treated?
Bipolar depression is treated much like depression that occurs on its own, without the mood swings. Psychiatrists might prescribe certain medications to help stabilize your mood, including antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs.
Any medications can complement talk therapy, which helps you control stress and unpleasant thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy also can give you the tools to handle negative thoughts that come with depression. When these tools do not work adequately, Deep TMS may be an option in addition to the psychiatric care you are already receiving.
What is Brainsway Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) therapy?
TMS therapy may be used to treat depressive episodes when medications and psychotherapies are inadequate. TMS is noninvasive and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. During TMS, you wear a helmet-like device that delivers brief magnetic pulses to your brain. The energy pulses stimulate specific neural pathways to heal depression in the brain.
TMS has no major side effects, apart from potential headaches or scalp discomfort, and is proven effective in clinical studies. Care will be taken not to induce a manic episode. You don’t have to stop taking medication to undergo TMS, so there is no period of worsening symptoms due to being off your medication.
If you have bipolar depression, don’t suffer alone. Contact Houston West TMS by phone or request a consultation online to get support and help for your condition.
