TMS Treatment for Depression in Teenagers
Depression is a serious and widespread issue that affects people across the lifespan. However, it can have an even greater impact on teenagers. The teenage years are already filled with physical and emotional changes that can be hard to navigate. Adding a depressive illness into the mix produces enormous challenges for the teenager and their parents. It profoundly impacts life, affecting the teen’s feelings, thoughts and behavior. In multiple studies, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has proven effective in helping people overcome depression.
Is it depression?
Compared to adults, teenagers often show a different set of symptoms. These symptoms can mimic what is expected as normal adolescent behaviors, making identifying them more challenging.
Common signs of depression in teens include:
- Persistently feeling sad
- Irritability/anger
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest in activities
- Difficulties with concentration
- Changes in appetite and sleeping
- Excessive acting out
- Physical complaints with no medical cause, e.g., stomach aches, headaches, or often feeling generally unwell.
Causes of Depression in Teenagers
The human brain does not develop fully until the mid-20s. The final part of the brain to complete its development is the pre-frontal cortex. This brain region is associated mainly with mood regulation and higher mental functions like decision-making.
Teenagers may develop depression for a multitude of reasons. Many teens say that a combination of events or circumstances has caused the issue. For example, social difficulties like bullying, peer pressure or feeling that they don’t fit in often loom large for teens. Additionally, there may be other life events, such as parental divorce, the death of a grandparent, or the amount of study they are facing, added to the mix. Family history may also play a role – if they have a parent with depression, they are more likely to develop this themselves. However, it is typically a combination of factors that leads to the development of the symptoms of a depressive illness.
Given that the teenage years are often full of challenges and change and that the brain is not fully matured, it is unsurprising that anxiety frequently features highly in the life of a teenager with depression.
The impact of depression on teenagers
At any stage of life, depression significantly affects daily living. For teenagers, it may impact their ability to study, causing lower grades, which increases their anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. Family relationships will likely start to suffer. A teenager may appear constantly irritable or angry, lashing out at family members, or may begin to withdraw, isolating themselves and becoming disconnected. These behaviors, in turn, can increase feelings of depression.
In teenagers, depression may become life-threatening more quickly, with incidences of self-harm and suicidal thoughts being more common in this age- group. It is, therefore, crucial to act to deal with the issue as quickly and effectively as possible.
How TMS can help Teenage Depression
If a teenager has symptoms of depression, the family needs to seek help from mental health professionals. There are several courses of action available to help them to move forward. Parents can help by encouraging their teens to communicate freely and without judgment so that they can help them seek the correct help.
Traditional therapies and TMS for Teens
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an effective method of helping resolve the symptoms of depression. It has been licensed by the FDS since 2008. TMS is often used alongside traditional methods to increase and speed up their effects. It is beneficial if someone is slow to respond to conventional methods.
Traditional therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBP), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Family Therapy and antidepressant medications. TMS is a modern, non-invasive approach which can be used as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct to the traditional methods.
The Benefits of TMS for Teenagers
TMS is modern and innovative and uses new technologies to help influence the brain to make new, more beneficial connections. Due to its high-tech appearance, it is likely to appeal to teens as an option in their treatment.
Unlike common antidepressant medication, it has no long-term or body-wide side effects. The only physical impact of TMS occurs during treatment and is mild and short-lived. These effects are lightheadedness, a mild headache, or scalp discomfort, which rapidly fade once treatment ends.
How does TMS Work?
TMS works directly with the areas of the brain that are involved in mood regulation. It stimulates activity that positively impacts on the root causes of depression:
TMS encourages the formation of new neural pathways. The brain comprises billions of neurons that communicate through these pathways, which, in teenagers, are still forming. This immaturity makes TMS effective in encouraging the movement from negative towards more positive neural connections.
TMS helps to regulate the activity of the main chemicals (neurotransmitters) that influence mood and behavior in the brain. These include serotonin, which is the target of SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant medications.
By stimulating the areas of the brain specifically associated with depression, it helps to remedy the distressing symptoms of this illness.
How is TMS performed?
After an initial consultation and assessment, an appointment is made to begin treatments. The treatment lasts 30-40 minutes; it is given daily during weekdays over several weeks. The effectiveness of the treatment is monitored throughout, so any adjustments can be made immediately if necessary.
The patient sits in a comfortable chair for the procedure, and the medical professional places the magnetic coil against the scalp. This coil delivers the magnetic pulses. Once the treatment is finished, the patient can leave and go about their day.
Follow-up appointments are used to ensure ongoing benefits and to deliver any maintenance treatments that may be needed.
TMS for teens in a nutshell
As a new technology, TMS is advancing the treatment of depression. There are several key advantages:
- Non-invasive
- No sedation needed
- Outpatient procedure
- Side effects: There are no body-wide side effects to TMS. Some people report mild, short-lived, localized effects during treatment, e.g. Headache or tapping on the scalp.
- TMS can be used alongside traditional treatments
The Southern Colorado TMS Center provides a comprehensive service delivered by experienced, qualified mental health professionals. If you or your teenage child is struggling, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss TMS treatment.