Those who are struggling with depression have a new option to treat the condition. Banner Behavioral Health Hospital has begun to offer transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to individuals looking for a new way to treat their depression. TMS is a non-invasive, same-day procedure that is done at Banner.

With TMS, patients will experience a magnetic coil placed atop their head that sends pulses to regions of the brain that control mood and depression. The pulses function by stimulating the nerve cells in these parts of the brain. By delivering these magnetic pulses via coil, the treatment aims to alleviate the symptoms of depression.

The treatment can be completed on an outpatient basis due to the fact that it does not require any anesthesia, cause a loss of consciousness, or cause any side effects that many other similar depression treatments may cause. Patients undergoing this treatment will also experience no pain with TMS.

TMS could be a new way for Banner to treat patients who have depression that has not responded well to other forms of treatment. There are some individuals who do not respond to more common treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication, which could require options like TMS to be considered.

Currently, there are millions of adults throughout the United States who experience depression. Nearly 7 percent of American adults have gone through a major depressive episode in the past year. This issue affects many people who are seeking treatment for this condition.