A recent study has shown that the prevalence of depression symptoms in the United States is three times higher compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Mental health is sensitive to traumatic events and their social and economic consequences,” the authors of the study wrote. “Previous studies on disruptions to life owing to disasters, epidemics, or civil unrest suggest that exposure to large-scale traumatic events are associated with increased burden of mental illness in the populations affected.”1
In addition to the isolation and anxiety associated with public interaction, additional stressors like job loss, financial problems and family members or friends dying from the disease have compounded the problem.
Prior to the pandemic and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, fewer than one-third of those who could benefit from mental health care actually received it. We expect this has only gotten worse, especially with limited treatment options during the worst months of the outbreak. This is especially concerning, as the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak and the SARS outbreak of 2003 caused a spike in suicides, We can anticipate this will be more acute during COVID-19.
Now more than ever, it is critical to keep up with mental health treatment regimens. If medication and other therapies haven’t worked, TMS Center of Colorado offers another option.
Our Brainsway™ Deep TMS™ treatment for depression, OCD and other mental health disorders is ideal for those for whom medication hasn’t worked, has stopped working, or prefer to take no medication at all. Additionally, newer option called theta burst stimulation utilizing TMS is showing promise as a highly effective and more efficient TMS option, and more cost-effective for those who are uninsured or may have lost their insurance.
Through magnetic stimulation of the brain, deep TMS therapy is clinically shown to be effective at treating major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
While there are self-help resources for depression, you may be best served by consulting with a mental health professional. If you or someone you know needs help for major depressive disorder or are looking for a new therapy for depression, OCD and other disorders, talk to your doctor or call us at TMS Center of Colorado for more information.
- Catherine K. Ettman, BA et al. Prevalence of Depression Symptoms in US Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2019686. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19686