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.
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).
Have you (or someone close to you) been experiencing a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest? While everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives and can get depressed at times, this is normal. But if you don’t bounce back and this feeling of Depression persists, then one should seek help. Accompanying Depression can be changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.
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.
Signs that you are experiencing Depression include:
- Feeling down or depressed longer than a few weeks
- Inability to complete every day 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
The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach Has a New Approach
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“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
Depression, or Clinical Depression (also called 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 all, 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.
Depression, whether acute or chronic, can have debilitating effects on quality of life. Sometimes there are events that trigger depression, but others, the etiology is of an unknown cause.
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). Many people think that their Depression can go away on its own, or that it will get better in time. This is simply not the case; medical intervention is necessary to treat Depression.
How The Brain Treatment Center Can Treat Depression
Patients who are clinically depressed have markers that are visible in their EEG studies.
MeRT(sm), which stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy, is a treatment protocol that has evolved from TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). MeRT is not the same as TMS. Although TMS is still used by some clinics to treat depression, it is more of a one-size-fits-all type of treatment because it only targets a single location in the brain with one frequency.
With MeRT, we start with detailed and sophisticated imaging. 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.
Next, you will have a Consultation with our Doctor to discuss what was seen in your imaging and what treatment would involve. 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.
MeRT, or Magnetic Resonance Therapy, simply uses magnetic waves to stimulate targeted areas of the brain to regain function and communication.
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!
This treatment is a very safe and gentle therapy. MeRT is a cutting edge treatment process that combines TMS (an FDA-cleared therapy), a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to analyze and formulate treatments that are tailored for each individual’s unique brain pattern.
The MeRT process is much more evolved than standard TMS treatments since it is not a “one size fits all” approach, and is highly individualized as to both frequency and location. This scientific approach is unique to each person.
“I felt like I was alone even through 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
Depression Causes Altered Activity of Neural Circuits
New research is confirming that factors that may contribute to Depression do cause changes in brain function to include altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain.
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.”
MeRT is customized to each individual’s needs based on the results of the EEG and EKG. The treatment protocol is tailored based on the location, frequency, and amount of power used by the magnet. This technology works by using a magnetic coil to neuromodulate the brain’s electrical activity. 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.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
Or fill in the Form at the bottom of this page.
If you are interested in learning more about MeRT and how it can help you with your Depression, you don’t have to decide anything right away.
Though TMS has been used for decades to treat Depression, and MeRT has been used for several years now, we understand that you might not have heard of it before, and as a result, may feel uncertain as to whether or not this treatment may be right for you. To take the first step, all you need to do is contact our New Patient Coordinator for an easy phone conversation. She can answer your questions, and you can discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. We will go over protocols and fees, and give you a better understanding of what to expect from treatment.
After speaking with our New Patient Coordinator, if you would like for further explore treatment, we will set you up first for your EEG/EKG, followed by a consultation with Dr. Lee. Both of these appointments take about 45-minutes. Dr. Lee can go over your results with you,and even show you a copy of your EEG which will show you exactly where in YOUR brain dysregulation is occurring.
At the first appointment, our neuro-technician will perform a EEG and an EKG. Both are simple, painless and non-invasive tests to see exactly what is happening in your brain. At the second appointment, a few days later when your test results are in and have been analyzed, you will have a one on one consultation with the doctor. If you are unsure whether MeRT is the treatment for you, Dr. Lee can go over your results and let you know how MeRT can benefit you. There is no hard sales pitch, and no obligations.
Should you decide to move forward with treatment, we will schedule you first for an assessment period of treatment to see how you respond. This assessment is 2-weeks long. During the first week, you will attend treatment Monday – Friday, and the second, will attend Monday – Thursday. On that final Friday, we will repeat the qEEG/EKG and will be able to show you how you are responding. By this time, you will have begun to feel some changes taking place as well.
If you are responding well to treatment, we recommend an additional four to six weeks of treatment to realize the full benefits from MeRT, and for the treatment to be long-lasting.
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.
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.
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