Depression

How is depression treated?

At Braincare Performance Center - Cardiff, the team treats depression using the best leading-edge treatment therapy called MeRT. They’re strongly dedicated to customized depression care, so they believe in targeting the specific areas of your brain that are having trouble communicating. 

The first step is an advanced noninvasive measurement of your brainwave activity called a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and an electrocardiogram (EKG). The qEEG measures brain electrical activity and maps out the areas that aren’t communicating like they should. The EKG records your heart’s electrical signals and measures brain-heart coherence. 

People with depression usually have an imbalance in brainwave activity between the front and the back of the brain (asymmetry). Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT), our customized form of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, seeks out and balances out these asymmetries.

Then, using FDA-cleared TMS technology, painless magnetic pulses target parts of the brain based on the results of your EEG. This strengthens your brainwave connectivity, restores the damaged areas, and relieves your symptoms without drugs or surgery.  

This treatment is a very safe and gentle therapy. MeRT is a cutting-edge treatment process that combines TMS, a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG), and an Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to analyze and formulate treatments that are tailored to each individual’s unique brain pattern. 

MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The equipment used in MeRT is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of other conditions.

What types of depression do rTMS and MeRT treat?

Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is what most people mean when they refer to depression. It describes a persistent low mood and symptoms like loss of interest in your usual life activities, sleep problems, weight changes, and fatigue, lasting two weeks or longer.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression can start during or after pregnancy. It features depression symptoms that are more intense and longer-lasting than “baby blues” and can be debilitating without treatment, affecting your ability to care for your child and yourself.

Treatment-resistant depression

Treatment-resistant depression doesn’t improve with common first-line approaches like antidepressants and psychotherapy. 

Depression with other conditions

Many people with depression suffer from other conditions, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Half of those with PTSD have depression, and half with depression have anxiety. 

Braincare Performance Center - Cardiff accepts TriCare®, including TriCare Select, TriCare Prime, and TriWest for patients 18 and older. Insurance covers rTMS for depression. To learn more, call the office or book an appointment online today.