Unlocking Relief: A New Solution for Treatment-Resistant Depression

For people struggling with depression, life can feel like a constant uphill battle. Medications don’t always work, and even talk therapy can sometimes fall short.

But there's hope if you or someone you love has been searching for relief. Recent research shows that combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with psychotherapy can work when medications don't.

At Braincare Carlsbad, we specialize in this innovative depression treatment, helping our patients regain control of their lives.

What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Depression is already a heavy burden, but for about 30% of people with major depressive disorder, traditional treatments don’t work.

Treatment-resistant depression TRD means you’ve tried at least two different antidepressants at proper doses without significant improvement. Either your symptoms improve but keep returning, or standard treatments don’t help at all.

Living with TRD can be exhausting. The symptoms often persist for years, affecting every part of life—work, relationships, and daily activities.

Medications and Psychotherapy: A Common First Step

Many people try medications and psychotherapy to manage their depression. If that's you, you're on the right path, and it’s an important step toward recovery.

But, medications can have limitations. They often come with side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction. And some people need to try different drugs to find one that works. Even then, the results may plateau over time.

Psychotherapy provides valuable tools for managing thoughts and emotions. Yet, combining it with medications like antidepressants may not be enough to break through TRD.

The Differences Between Antidepressants and rTMS

The main differences between rTMS and antidepressants are:

How they work. rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain's mood center. Antidepressants are a pharmacological treatment that alters brain chemistry.
Side effects. rTMS has fewer side effects than antidepressants, which can cause a wide range of side effects in almost every organ system. The most common side effects of rTMS are scalp discomfort and mild headaches, which are usually short-lived.
Treatment length. rTMS treatment is usually completed in under two months. Antidepressants require ongoing treatment for many patients.

A New Study Brings Hope

So, rTMS works differently, has fewer side effects, and takes less time for treatment. But does it work as well as medication when combined with psychotherapy? A new study says that it's even better.

The study compared the effects of rTMS to switching antidepressant medications in patients who didn't respond to at least two previous treatment attempts. Both sets of patients also received psychotherapy. The results were striking:

37.5% of patients responded to rTMS, compared to 14.6% who improved after switching antidepressants.
27.1% of patients achieved remission with rTMS, while only 4.9% did so with antidepressants.
rTMS was particularly effective at reducing other symptoms, like anxiety, sleep issues, cognitive reactivity, and anhedonia (loss of pleasure).

Why Do rTMS and Psychotherapy Work So Well Together?

It’s all about addressing the brain and the mind in a more personalized, targeted way. Here’s how we provide this treatment at Braincare Carlsbad:

EEG Guidance: Before you start your rTMS, we map your brain to determine precisely where to perform the treatment. This makes the rTMS far more effective.
rTMS Treatment: You sit in a comfortable chair while a device sends magnetic pulses to specific parts of your brain. It’s painless, safe, and has no systemic side effects. Plus, you can go about your day after every session.
Psychotherapy: You also meet with a therapist who helps you work through your feelings and learn to handle life's challenges better.

By working on the brain and the mind together, we’ve seen incredible results for our patients. Many report feeling hopeful for the first time in years.

“I just finished six weeks of their specialized form of TMS treatment, and it is life-changing. If your depression or anxiety has been resistant to medications, therapy, or other forms of treatment, I highly recommend the Brain Treatment Center.” – M.E.

There Is Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Living with TRD can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. rTMS and psychotherapy are helping more people than ever find lasting relief.

At Braincare Carlsbad, we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. We’re here to support you every step of the way.