It may be time to consider new treatment options:

• If you are still suffering from depression symptoms despite several months of treatment
• If you are experiencing side effects from your antidepressant medication

Effectively treating your depression is extremely important for your overall health, your quality of life, and your professional life. As a general rule of thumb, if you have been in treatment for six months and have not experienced improvement in your depression symptoms, it may be time to consider new treatment options.

What is Your Depression Costing You?

Depression affects many aspects of your life, including your relationships, your physical health, and your professional and financial goals.

A national study of depression found that nearly all the respondents who reported a major depressive disorder also reported that their social and/or work lives were negatively affected by their illness. In 2000, the economic burden of depression was estimated at $83.1 billion in the US and researchers estimate that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression can also be a lethal disease. Each year in the US, over 30,000 people die by suicide, 60% of whom suffer from depression.

Knowing this, if your treatment of depression is not working, as you are considering other treatment options, including TMS Therapy, you might want to ask yourself the following questions:

How has Depression affected my social life?

• Have my relationships been less than optimal?
• What family activities or social functions have I missed out on?
• How has Depression affected my ability to fulfill my role as a spouse, a parent, a co-worker, a student or a friend?
• Does my family understand what Depression is like for me?

How has Depression affected my physical health?

• What activities or hobbies I had to stop (or no longer enjoy) because of my Depression?
• Have I been diagnosed with other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease? How have these conditions affected my life?
• Do I experience any medication side effects from my current Depression treatment?
• How have medication side effects impacted my quality of life?

How has Depression affected my personal and professional goals?

• How has my motivation and drive to reach my dreams and goals changed since I have been depressed?
• Has Depression caused me to miss work or not be as productive?
• Has Depression jeopardized my job?
• Have I been passed on for promotions or raises because of my Depression?

How has Depression affected my financial situation?

• How much loss of income have I suffered because of my Depression?
• How much are my out-of-pocket and co-pay expenses for the treatment of my Depression and/or other physical illnesses related to my Depression?
• Are my behavioral health benefits changing?
• How much money have I spent on depression treatment in this and previous episodes?

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Next: Who Should Consider TMS Therapy?