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Another form of medical treatment for severe depression is what’s known as TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. This is a newer form of treatment that is still being studied but is used quite frequently in the appropriate patient population. It works by generating magnetic pulses that are targeted at specific parts of the brain that are thought to help depressive symptoms. Unlike ECT, there is no seizure being induced and there is no need for general anesthesia, meaning that a person is not put to sleep during the procedure. It is usually performed more frequently than ECT. It could be even five days a week in an average course. The benefits relative to ECT are not fully established yet. Currently it is thought that it is not as beneficial as ECT is for severe depression, but it continues to be studied and developed. And this is something to ask your doctor about when you’re considering various options.
