Dr. Robert McMullen, an experienced and acclaimed New York City psychiatrist, has a unique take on natural remedies to remediate depression and some other psychiatric problems. He says that individuals suffering from depression can and do cure the disorder naturally - on their own, with help from a professional [a therapist], with specific nutritional supplements, or with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - an FDA-approved office procedure where magnetic pulses target the prefontal cortex (and other areas) of the brain. Harold Sackeim, PhD [for 20 years he was head of research into ECT and TMS at Columbia] has said that he thinks that TMS enables the brain to cure itself of depression.
The following supports this theory:
#1: The dose of a magnetic field is “homeopathic” - the electrical activity of the brain is altered for only 45 minutes after a treatment.
#2: The benefit of TMS is surprisingly durable — long-lasting.
#3: Subsequent relapses only need a few treatments, suggesting the brain has permanently altered its functioning in a positive direction.
#4: TMS increases BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which is the “growth hormone” of the brain. Among other things, it increases the plasticity (ability to change) of the brain. It appears the brain wants to change in the right direction.
Borne from a passion for exploring sustainable, natural remedies to depression, as opposed to prescription drugs, Dr. McMullen is passionate about sharing his findings with depressed individuals not responding to medication.
Treatment solutions for depression exist that most are not aware of. Natural practices, when done properly, can sometimes even prevent needing a psychiatrist. In brief, some of the “natural” treatments proven to help depression are: vigorous exercise [5 hours per week], normalization of sleep schedule, NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), inositol, folic acid or L-methylfolate/5-MTHF, vitamin B12, vitamin D [a steroid hormone we make when in the sun], magnesium, low dose thyroid hormone (T3), and small-dose lithium.
[Even a minuscule dose of lithium can be of benefit over time. There are lower rates of suicide and Alzheimer’s Disease in areas of the United States that have “high” amounts of lithium in the drinking water — less than 1mg/day.]
If an at-home approach doesn’t work, if depression is very severe, if cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) fails, or if there is a risk of suicide, then seeking a psychiatrist becomes necessary. When nutritional and medication trials prove inadequate, TMS should be the next step. “Unlike medication, TMS has virtually no side effects,” said Dr. McMullen. “TMS offers new hope to patients who find traditional treatments for their condition less than adequate. There are alternate routes to achieving life without depression... When depression has not responded enough to several trials of medication, the odds of the next antidepressant bringing the patient completely to a normal mood (euthymia) are less than 5%. You might find a “stronger” antidepressant—e.g., an MAOI-- that works better than previous antidepressants, but it is very unlikely to bring you to a completely normal mood. TMS has about a 50% chance of bringing a patient all the way to euthymia in these patients who have failed on medications—vastly better odds (>10 X) than a 4th medication trial.
The benefit of TMS is usually long lasting, especially if patients should stay on prophylactic medication after TMS. If and when the patient relapses, a few treatments usually achieves euthymia again. It is rare to need another long course of treatment.
Dr. McMullen’s TMS Braincare team is adept in the administration of TMS. We also have two different types of TMS machine, to increase our options.
For those who undergo TMS, it requires 20 to 30 treatments to emerge from depression over a 4 to 6 week period. Sometimes 40 to 50 treatments are necessary. The treatment lasts about a half hour and has virtually no side effects. After a TMS treatment, patients typically resume their normal day-- going to work, school, etc. At least initially, TMS may precipitate a headache because of contraction of the scalp muscles. If this occurs we give ibuprofen or acetaminophen before the treatment.
“Using powerful magnetic pulses, TMS induces small electrical changes in human brain cells, allowing us to treat a surprising number of psychiatric and neurological conditions,” said Dr. McMullen. It is a non-invasive way to have a physical/ electrical effect on the brain. Although TMS is only approved for depression, there are years of good studies showing that TMS also helps OCD, PTSD, chronic pain, Parkinson’s Disease, Tourette’s Syndrome, dystonias, migraines, ADHD, and stroke rehabilitation.
To learn more about TMS and the TMS Braincare team, visit: https://tmsbraincare.com/what-is-tms/
Watch Dr. Robert McMullen 18 min video about How can you cure depression naturally or With psychiatrist or with TMS
Watch Dr. Robert McMullen 8 min video about Non medicine treatment depression.
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