Depression in young adults is a growing crisis, especially in major urban areas like New York City. While antidepressant medications have long been the standard therapy for young adults, research shows that many young adults either don’t respond to them or experience intolerable side effects. That’s why Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment in NYC has become such an important option for patients who want a safe, effective, and non-medication alternative.
A 2023 study titled “Effectiveness of rTMS in Depression in Young Adults” revealed promising results: repetitive TMS (rTMS) is not only effective but also particularly well-tolerated among younger patients who often struggle with adherence to medication regimens. At Mid City TMS in Manhattan, we specialize in providing this cutting-edge treatment for Depression among young adults in a supportive, patient-centered environment.
Understanding the Limitations of Antidepressants
Although antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed treatment options for Depression, they are not always the most effective or safe option. The 2015 STAR*D trial was the largest study ever conducted on antidepressants. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, this study involved rigorously reviewing over 120 journal articles. Unfortunately, the STAR*D trial and subsequent research showed that:
- Only about one-third of patients achieve full remission with their first antidepressant.
- Each failed medication trial lowers the chance of recovery.
- Side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue often lead to discontinuation.
TMS Therapy for Young Adults: New 2023 Study Offers Hope
A 2023 study titled “Effectiveness of rTMS in Depression in Young Adults” revealed promising results: repetitive TMS (rTMS) is not only effective, but also particularly well-tolerated, among younger patients who often struggle with adherence to medication regimens. The 2023 research focused specifically on young adults with MDD and made several huge discoveries:
- High effectiveness: rTMS significantly reduced Depressive symptoms in young adults, even for those who had tried multiple antidepressants with no results.
- Rapid improvement: Many participants reported a noticeable improvement in their Depression within weeks.
- Low side effect burden: Unlike medications, rTMS did not cause systemic side effects, making it easier for patients to stay on course.
- Durable results: Patients maintained improvements well after getting the initial treatment.
The study highlights a major issue: young adults often cycle through multiple antidepressants without lasting success; antidepressants may not always be effective at mitigating symptoms of Depression in young adults. Instead of waiting years to get relief from their Depression, TMS offers a clinically proven next step to improve Depression in adolescents.
Why TMS Therapy for Young Adults Works Effectively
TMS is one of the best treatment options for Depression among young adults for several important reasons:
1. Non-Invasive and Safe
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), it does not require anesthesia or cause memory loss.
2. No Daily Pill Burden
Young adults often struggle with medication adherence. With TMS, sessions occur on-site at a clinic approved to offer this treatment, meaning patients don’t have to remember daily pills.
3. Minimal Side Effects
The most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort during sessions. Patients don’t experience weight gain, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction from TMS, all of which are common side effects of antidepressants.
4. Compatibility with Medications
TMS can be done alone or alongside antidepressants. Whether you want to supplement your current antidepressant with TMS or stop your antidepressant and switch to TMS, you can work with a licensed TMS practitioner to make these changes possible.
Depression Among Young Adults: What To Look For
Since many young adults are not getting the treatment they need for major Depressive disorder (MDD), it’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms in your friends, your family, and in yourself. While you should always rely on a proper diagnosis from a medical professional, being able to recognize signs of Depression can help you and your loved ones mitigate this mental health condition before it becomes too challenging or overwhelming.
Some symptoms of Depression in young adults include the following:
- Changes in thoughts and behavior: When suffering from Depression, many people experience a shift in how they respond to things they used to love. Loss of interest and an increase in irritability are common symptoms of Depression.
- Difficulty concentrating: During a major Depressive episode, it may be difficult to concentrate and complete regular tasks. This could come in the form of anxiety or a feeling that you can’t make up your mind about even seemingly simple decisions.
- Irregular sleep patterns: Changes in sleep patterns due to Depression can be different for each individual case: while some people might find themselves sleeping a lot more and feel tired throughout the day, others can’t fall asleep at night when they’re trying to go to bed.
- Physical symptoms: Sometimes Depression can cause unexpected body pains or headaches. Depression can also affect your appetite—either an increase or a decrease—which will in turn cause your body to feel differently.
Depression Among Young Adults: Common Causes and Catalysts
Many factors can contribute to Depression in young adults, but each person is different and there is not always a clear and direct cause for every patient. However, there are several common aspects of young adulthood that can contribute to Depression:
- Different brains: The brain’s structural foundation is established during adolescence, but neuron (brain cell) connections and functioning are still being made and restructured in a substantial way until a person is in their mid-20’s. In addition, young adults experience changes in hormone and neurotransmitter levels that affect mood.
- High levels of stress and anxiety: Depression is associated with stress, which has its own physiological consequences that trigger chemical reactions and changes in the body that can be long-lasting, especially if the stress is chronic. Common causes of stress in young people include peer pressure, being bullied, moving to a new place, problems at school or work, and unrealistic expectations from parents or friends.
- Social media: Research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that the more a young adult uses social media, the more likely they are to be Depressed. Though other studies have been hesitant to define a causal relationship between social media and Depression, many researchers have linked social media use to symptoms including anxiety, poor sleep, low self-esteem, and the inability to focus.
- Trauma in early life: Certain events, such as early losses and emotional trauma, may leave individuals more vulnerable to developing Depression later in life. Many researchers believe that early trauma causes subtle changes in brain function that can lead to Depression.
- Genetic inheritance: British researchers have isolated a gene for Depression, and hormone levels and certain neurotransmitters are linked to Depression as well. This is not to say that a single gene causes this mental health challenge, but rather that genetic makeup plays a part in Depression among young adults.
Depression Among Young Adults: Integrating Additional Lifestyle Changes
In addition to TMS, some other strategies for combatting Depression among young adults include:
- Talking through feelings with family, friends, or a medical professional: Articulating one’s emotions can help make Depression more comprehensible to both you and others. Plus, making time to socialize can help deter feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Exercising, even just a little bit: Sometimes Depression can make you feel like you’d rather sit around and do nothing, but physical activity is a proven way to promote positive changes in your mental health. Hitting the gym, going to a yoga class, or even taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood can cause chemical changes that boost your energy level and mood.
- Keeping a regular sleep schedule: It might be hard, but try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Eating healthy: Even though it can be easier to opt for junk foods, try to minimize processed foods and excessive amounts of sugar. A nutrient-rich diet filled with protein and fresh vegetables can go a long way to improve your mood.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMS Therapy for Young Adults
If you’re exploring TMS as a treatment option for you or a loved one, you likely want to know more about this procedure. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about TMS:
1. How long does TMS treatment take?
Each session of TMS is relatively short, lasting about 4 minutes. How often you visit your TMS treatment center will likely vary based on the clinic and your individual needs. Here at Mid City TMS, patients typically come in 5 days per week for 7-8 weeks.
2. Is TMS safe for young adults?
Yes. Research shows rTMS is safe and highly effective for young adults. Unlike medications, it has minimal side effects and doesn’t interfere with daily functioning.
3. Who is a candidate for TMS?
You may qualify if you:
- Have major depressive disorder
- Haven’t responded to one or more antidepressants
- Prefer a non-medication treatment option
4. Where is Mid City TMS located?
Our office is centrally located in Manhattan, easily accessible from all boroughs and nearby areas. Contact Mid City TMS in NYC today to schedule a consultation.
5. Is TMS therapy for young adults covered by insurance?
Coverage for TMS will vary based on your specific insurance plan and treatment needs, but in general, yes, TMS is covered by most insurance plans.
At Mid City TMS, our staff helps patients navigate authorizations for TMS so they can focus on getting better. Most major insurance providers in New York that we work with—including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and BlueCross BlueShield, and Wellfleet—cover TMS for treatment-resistant Depression.
Additional Mental Health Resources for Young Adults
If you or a young adult you love is struggling with Depression, it’s important to know about the various resources you can turn to for help, such as:
- Active Minds: This fantastic organization seeks to destigmatize conversation about mental health and take action through activism, education, support, and research.
- JED Foundation: The JED Foundation strives to promote mental health and prevent suicide in college students, and they provide a lot of resources for the transition to college and mental health support.
- National Alliance on Mental Health: This organization provides guides and answers major questions about all realms of mental health.
Mid City TMS Redefines Depression Care for Young Adults
The 2023 study confirms what we see every day: TMS is a powerful, safe, and effective treatment and therapy for young adults with Depression—especially when medications fail.
At Mid City TMS, Dr. Bruno designs personalized Depression treatment plans to meet each patient’s needs. We specialize in providing this cutting-edge treatment in a supportive, patient-centered environment to move beyond the limitations of antidepressants. We frequently work alongside patients who have tried two, three, or more antidepressants without relief. Mid City TMS provides them with:
- Comprehensive evaluations: Our team reviews your history, symptoms, and prior treatments.
- Personalized plans: We recommend the best TMS protocol based on your unique situation.
- Convenient scheduling: With sessions lasting only about 4 minutes, patients can fit treatment into their daily NYC routines.
- Ongoing support: We coordinate with therapists, psychiatrists, and family members to ensure comprehensive treatment plans and continuity of care.
- Faster results: Compared to waiting for yet another medication to take effect, TMS is a more rapid pathway to relief.
- Sustained improvements: TMS offers mental health benefits that continue even after treatment ends.
- A non-medication alternative: When antidepressant side effects become unbearable, TMS is a great solution.
For young adults in NYC and beyond who are balancing school, career, and personal life, this can be life-changing. rTMS therapy is not only effective, noninvasive, and safe, but can transform lives. If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
Sources
- Watson, M., Chaves, A. R., Gebara, A., Desforges, M., Broomfield, A., Landry, N., Lemoyne, A., Shim, S., Drodge, J., Kiaee, N., Nasr, Y., Carleton, C., Daskalakis, Z. J., Taylor, R., Tuominen, L., Brender, R., Antochi, R., McMurray, L., & Tremblay, S. A naturalistic study comparing the efficacy of unilateral and bilateral sequential theta burst stimulation in treating major depression – the U-B-D study protocol. BMC Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05243-4
- Pigott, H. E. The STARD Trial: It Is Time to Reexamine the Clinical Beliefs That Guide the Treatment of Major Depression.* Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4314062/
- Bullying and Depression. BullyingStatistics.org. Retrieved from https://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-depression.html
- University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. “Social media use associated with depression among US young adults.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 March 2016. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160322100401.htm
- Social Media Use Increases Depression and Loneliness. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/social-media-use-increases-depression-and-loneliness
- Genetics and Depression. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/genetic#genetics
- Suicidality in Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Prospective Study. American Journal of Psychiatry. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=116006