A Revolutionary Approach For The Treatment of Depression
MeRT is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical and has helped those with Depression who have not responded well to medications or had difficulty with their side effects.
Have you (or someone close to you) been experiencing a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest? Everyone goes through a certain amount of ups and downs in their lives, sometimes losses or tragedies occur, and depression can set in, this is normal. But if one doesn’t bounce back and Depression persists or becomes severe, then one should seek help. Often accompanying Depression are: changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.
As stated by the Mayo Clinic: “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 3 million people are diagnosed with Depression every year. We don’t have statistics yet for 2020, but based on everything that has been happening in recent times, it’s likely that statistics have risen significantly and many more people are experiencing Depression or have exacerbated symptoms.
MeRT has been used successfully to treat Depression and MDD. The equipment used in the MeRT process has been cleared by the FDA for Treatment of Depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
Signs that you are experiencing Depression include:
- Feeling down or depressed longer than a few weeks
- Inability to complete everyday activities
- Low energy levels; no motivation
- Anger, or emotional outbursts
- Irritability
- Poor performance at work or school
- Feelings of isolation
- Loss of interest in social activities, relationships, etc.
- Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Thinking about past events or failures
- Anxiety
- Back or neck pain
- Headaches
- Thoughts of suicide
- Suicide attempts
Depression, also referred to as Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder, can have symptoms that range in type and severity for different people. While antidepressant medication can help some people, it doesn’t help everyone, and isn’t always the right treatment for everybody. Medication can also have unpleasant side effects, both short-term and long-term, that are not tolerated well.
Statistics show that 8% to 10% of adults who are depressed will die by suicide; it’s become the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. So if you feel that you or someone close to you are experiencing Depression, it is incredibly important to act and seek medical help.
IF YOU ARE FEELING SUICIDAL, PLEASE CALL 911! YOU CAN ALSO CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
For anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, and other symptoms, I highly recommend trying MeRT at the Brain Treatment Center. My adult son who has suffered from both problems his entire life, and has been on medication, realized a positive change after the first visit. We saw dramatic improvement after each visit. This technology is truly a magic bullet for the right candidate. The staff is professional and friendly. The facilities are equally professional. I would highly recommend The Brain Treatment Center.” – Harold H.
The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach Has a New Approach
It’s called MeRT.
MeRT(sm), which stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy, is a treatment protocol that has evolved from TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). MeRT utilizes TMS technology, but is more tailored as to how it is applied to each individual based on their diagnostics.
Simply stated, magnetic fields are used to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by very sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.
Patients with depression have a few markers that are visible in their EEG studies — an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and the right hemispheres of the brain, known as asymmetry.
New research is confirming that factors which may contribute to Depression do cause changes in brain function including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain.
We work to identify these asymmetries and strengthen healthy brainwave activity to reduce the symptoms of depression for the patient.
MeRT is customized to each individual’s needs based on their diagnostics and imaging. The treatment protocol is tailored as to the location, frequency, duration, and amount of power used by the magnet. This technology works by using magnetic waves to stimulate areas of the brain to improve communication, balance, and connectivity. It is non-invasive, painless, and requires no drugs or anesthesia.
A quantitative EEG is performed on each patient in order to determine the exact frequency of the brain. These results are then reviewed and evaluated by our clinicians, Dr. Julie Kim and Dr. Sandy Lee so that the treatment is specific to each patient’s unique condition and optimized for the best possible results.
For me, depression was the constant feeling of, ‘I want to quit’ and retreat to my home, except I already would be home. MeRT helped me shed this feeling in less that 2 weeks. I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years feeling this way!” — Brain Treatment Patient
Is MeRT the Right Treatment for You?
We understand that MeRT is a relatively new treatment and you may not feel certain if this is right for you. But this is not something you need to decide right away or all alone. There are many steps in determining this.
Your first step would be a no-obligation phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. Here you can discuss your symptoms and history, ask all the questions you want, and have her explain the protocols, fees, and details of Treatment.
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f you are interested in taking the next step in seeing if MeRT treatment is right for you, we can set up an appointment for an EEG (a simple, painless, and non-invasive brain scan). Through the use of a quantitative EEG we are able to see EXACTLY what is going on in YOUR brain, and individualize treatment for each patient based on your exact needs. Once your qEEG is completed, our team of experienced doctors and scientists will study and analyze your results to determine if you may benefit from treatment and, if so, to direct exact treatment protocols.
When your test results are in and have been analyzed, you will have a one-on-one consultation with the doctor. This appointment can be done virtually from the comfort of your own home. Here you will discuss your symptoms, treatment protocols, answer any additional questions that you may have, and together determine if you (or your child, if this is about your child) are a candidate for treatment. At this point you can decide if you would like to take the next step of a short period of initial treatment, which we call an assessment period, to assess how well you respond to treatment before committing to the full treatment period.
If you and the doctor then decide to move forward with the next step, the Assessment Period, where we will perform a short period of treatment, followed by a new EEG to see if you are responding to the treatment. This is assessed based on the new EEG results as compared to the initial one done before treatment started, as well as symptom improvements.
If your response to treatment during the assessment period is positive, you probably will have noticed some improvements starting to take place, and we can then schedule for the additional treatment duration.
Because treatment is customized specifically for you, this can lead to significant clinical improvements, and many of our patients are able to recover and go off of their medications!
I felt like I was alone even though I was surrounded by love and care. It was just a cloud that would linger over my life every now and again. BTC helped me understand what was going on in my head and after a month of treatment, I was grateful to be DEPRESSION FREE and MEDICATION FREE for the first time in my life.”
— Brain Treatment Patient
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
Or fill in the Form at the bottom of this page.
Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for Additional Information
It’s normal for patients and their families who are affected by brain disorders to feel frustrated and isolated, and many have lost hope that there is any relief in sight. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again. We understand what you are going through, and our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.
Many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT treatment protocols themselves and have realized first hand what the treatment has done for them, and as a result, are passionate about helping others to heal too.
Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator
Or fill in the Form below
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options
We can provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment so that you can submit it to your insurance company to see if they would provide you with any reimbursement. Currently, rTMS is FDA cleared for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations, as well as treatment when treating Major Depressive Disorder, depending on their health coverage. Medicare patients have reported that their coverage provides no reimbursement for MeRT.
We take all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Care Credit is also an option to assist in financing medical expenses. Care Credit is a separate company than The Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, and is a credit card that can be used to cover medical expenses and services. Usually, when you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will let you know if you are approved very promptly.
