According to one study, antidepressants resulted in 5-10% improvement among adolescents on their standardized depression scores. However, with there being only two FDA-approved antidepressants for adolescents, the use of such medications is often limited by either side effects or lack of response. Adolescents typically have a higher risk of medication side effects compared to adults, and their response to antidepressants is inconsistent.
On the other hand, TMS therapy has shown significantly better results than antidepressants. One in two patients treated with TMS had a 50% reduction in their symptoms and about 30% of patients experience full remission, which means that their symptoms go away completely.
While most patients begin to show improvement after two to three weeks of TMS treatments, it can take up with six weeks to achieve the maximum benefits.
It is important to understand that mental health treatment plans are not a one-size-fits-all situation. Because of this situation, treatment plans may take longer or require different treatment option combinations in order to work best for certain patients. It is important for patients to communicate clearly with their provider about how their treatment plan is working. Collaboration between patient and provider can greatly impact the results of a patient’s wellness journey.
