Depression

OUR NON-INVASIVE, DRUG-FREE TREATMENT CAN RELIEVE YOUR SYMPTOMS, EVEN WHEN YOUR DEPRESSION HASN'T RESPONDED TO OTHER TREATMENTS.

Depression can affect every part of life: work, relationships, sleep, and motivation. If medication and talk therapy haven’t brought the relief you need, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may help.

At BrainCare Performance Center Carlsbad, we focus on rTMS because it’s non-invasive, drug-free, and covered by many insurance plans when criteria are met. We’ve seen some remarkable results with patients who haven’t had success with traditional treatments.

Call our office in Carlsbad to speak with the New Patient Coordinator, or request an appointment online.

Are there different types of depression?

Yes. Common types include:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Ongoing low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep/appetite. MDD often begins after a life challenge—like financial strain, job loss, relationship separation, or learning you have an illness—and can persist beyond the event.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Fewer symptoms than MDD but lasting two years or more.

Seasonal Pattern Depression: Symptoms that return during certain times of the year.

Perinatal/Postpartum Depression: Can begin during pregnancy or after delivery. Physical and hormonal changes may trigger depression that’s severe enough to make caring for your baby feel overwhelming.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): A depressive disorder that affects children ages 6–18, marked by frequent anger, irritability, and extreme temper outbursts.

Your provider will review your history and symptoms to confirm a diagnosis and create a plan that fits your needs.

What depression symptoms will I have?

Symptoms vary from person to person, but often include:

• Sadness, hopelessness, or feeling “numb”
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Fatigue or low motivation
• Sleep changes (insomnia or oversleeping)
• Appetite and weight changes
• Problems focusing or remembering
• Restlessness or irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If symptoms last two weeks or more, it’s time to seek help. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.

How is depression treated?

Many people improve with psychotherapy and/or medication. If these aren’t enough, you still have options at BrainCare Performance Center:

rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

rTMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. 

• FDA-approved for Depression, Anxious Depression, and OCD
• Non-invasive
• Drug-free
• Safe and well-tolerated
• Covered by many insurance plans

TMS has been FDA-approved to treat Depression since 2008, and we follow all FDA-approved protocols in our treatment.

NeuroStar TMS for Teen Depression

We use the NeuroStar system, the most widely studied and proven TMS technology in the United States, to treat teen depression.

Investigational TMS (MeRT)

For patients interested in highly personalized brain-based care, we offer MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), an advanced, investigational approach that combines TMS with qEEG brain mapping for tailored targeting.

What happens during my depression treatment?

First appointment: testing

Your provider performs a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) to map your brainwaves and identify areas that aren’t functioning optimally. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is also done to compare with your qEEG.
These baseline tests are completed for patients pursuing either rTMS or MeRT.

Second appointment: results & plan

You’ll review your qEEG/EKG results and discuss the best treatment path. If you decide to proceed with rTMS, we’ll schedule sessions five days a week for two weeks (your first treatment block).

Ongoing care: two-week blocks

At the end of each two-week block, we repeat a brief qEEG/EKG to see how your brain is responding. If your symptoms and brainwave patterns are improving, we book additional two-week intervals until you and your clinician are satisfied with your progress.

Ready for relief? Let's talk.

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to talk with our New Patient Coordinator about rTMS depression treatment. You’re not alone. There is real hope, and we’re here to help you feel like yourself again.

📞 Call us or book an appointment online.