Magnet Therapy for Depression?

Depression Symptoms, PTSD And A Surprising Answer

By Rachel Fleissner, M.D.

A new year for many is an enormous, painful and yet unrecognized emotional anniversary. 

An emotional anniversary is when, unconsciously, a person is reminded of and deeply remembers, very painful past events.  And for each person, their painful event is very unique. 

For some people, just remembering a previous New Year’s holiday which was terribly lonely could be enough to significantly dampen their current holiday even if it is filled with friends and/or family.

And of course, let’s not forget that holiday companion that has ruined many a holiday – alcohol.  How many children have more than once, watched their parents or other relatives become extremely unreasonable during holiday celebrations because of “joy juice”? 

PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) in children can be created in many ways and can be “set” by just one event (similar to a phobia). 

The point is that “Holiday post traumatic stress disorder” with its moderately disturbing to severely unpleasant holiday memories can sow the seeds of major depression.

By the way, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV) as an overwhelming response to an extreme event or series of events that occurred at least more than 1 month prior to the onset of symptoms.

What are some signs of PTSD?  Symptoms of post-traumatic disorder include intrusive and recurrent disturbing memories (partial or full) of the event; nightmares or related, disturbing dreams about the event; intense emotional distress when exposed to internal or external triggers somehow related to the trauma; avoidance of activities, places, or people that could awaken memories of the trauma; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; irritability or outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; hyper-vigilance and an excessive reaction to normal surprising stimuli (also known as an exaggerated startle response.)

By the way, not every PTSD sufferer will have all of the above symptoms.  And speaking of the above symptoms, you will notice that some of them are virtually identical to depression symptoms listed below.

Now, the signs and symptoms below may indicate depression. 

In general, if a person has several of the below symptoms and the symptoms have been persistent, then there is a good chance a person has depression. 

Keep in mind that only a properly qualified and licensed physician can make a diagnosis.

Depression symptoms include but are not limited to the following:

• Sad and/or empty feelings that seem to fill a person blocking out most or all feelings or happiness, contentment, etc.

• Irritability or intense frustration over anything – even small matters

• Diminished or non-existent interest or pleasure in normal activities including sex

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping or a sudden decrease in one’s normal sleep time. Keep in mind that too little sleep can worsen a person’s mental health condition and even cause depression.

• Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain

• General restlessness for no apparent reason — Symptoms include but are not limited to pacing, hand-wringing, an inability to sit still, tapping of fingers, etc.

• “Slurred” or slowed thinking, speaking and/or “slightly off” body movements including bumping into things

• Easily distracted, unusual indecisiveness, little or no ability to concentrate

• Feeling as though you have been ‘unplugged’ from your normal energy source where even small tasks are very difficult and require a lot of effort

• Feeling certain that you are worthless and/or guilty of being deeply inadequate

• Difficulty remembering things

• Frequent or increasing thoughts of death, dying or suicide

• Beginning to plan one’s death

• Crying for no apparent reason

• “Out of the blue” physical problems such as back pain, chest pain, headaches, stomach issues, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other physical symptoms that “just aren’t you”

A key factor to be aware of is that if any of the above signs and symptoms of depression are overwhelming, disabling or otherwise having a significant negative impact on your life, then see a doctor for help before things get worse.

Finally, if you think or sense that something is wrong, see your doctor.

A Surprising Answer For Depression and Depression Symptoms

As a psychiatrist with many years in the field, I am very excited about a new FDA approved tool in the fight against depression.  This drug free method of treating resistant depression is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). 

And no, TMS is not related to what is commonly called Magnet Therapy although TMS is indeed magnetic treatment and frankly, is more therapeutic and more effective than simply wearing magnets around one’s body or in the soles of your shoes.

In a nutshell, TMS treatment consists of a series of 40 minute sessions at 5 per week for 4 to 6 weeks.  As my patient, you are comfortably seated during the entire session with a magnetic coil placed at a certain point very close to your head.  During the time you are seated, computer controlled, magnetic pulses are delivered to those parts of your brain that control mood and behavior.

TMS therapy is a revolutionary new method of treating depression that holds a great deal of promise and for those who have already benefited, they discovered that TMS is safe and life changing.

If you or someone you know has tried an antidepressant medication or treatment and it did not work, transcranial magnetic stimulation may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

To learn more about how TMS can help you or a loved one with depression, you are welcome to contact me. 

Thanks for taking time to read this article.

Dr. Rachel Fleissner

• Board Certified Adult Psychiatry and Neurology

• Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Advanced Training in Clinical Hypnosis

• Trained in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback

• Trained in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

2902 S University Drive
Fargo, ND 58103

Fargo: (701) 364-9723

Visit Dr. Fleissner at:  www.MyDrRachel.com

Questions or Comments?  devin@depression-hypnosis.com
 

C. Devin Hastings © 2005

 

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