Our personalised TMS therapy brings transformative depression treatment and renewed hope.
Connectomix - Leading TMS therapy in South Africa
Connectomix is a state-of-the-art TMS clinic group founded in 2019 and based in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. It is backed by Netcare, the largest private hospital group in South Africa.
By personalising TMS treatments through sophisticated MRI imaging algorithms, Connectomix has become a hub of excellence for Depression, Anxiety and Neuro-rehabilitation treatments.
Are you suffering from depression?
If you are seeking effective depression treatment, our transformative approach can be the key to reclaiming your life.
Our specialized TMS therapy targets the neural circuits associated with depression, promoting positive changes in brain activity.
By tailoring the treatment to your unique needs, we address the root causes of your depression, aiming for lasting improvement and enhanced well-being.
Take the first step towards a brighter future and book a consultation today to explore how Connectomix’s personalized TMS therapy can help reduce depression symptoms and restore hope in your life.
What is depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses globally. According to the World Health Organisation it is the leading cause of disability, affecting an estimated 3.8% of adults globally, including 5% of adults and 5.7% of people of the age of 60 years old.[i]
In short – depression is a group of conditions that are associated with the lowering of a person’s mood, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Depression causes sustained negative feelings of sadness or grief. People often experience a loss of interest in things that used to bring them enjoyment, such as reading, cooking and exercise.
Depression affects how one feels, reasons and responds to different emotional and physical difficulties.
How is depression treated?
Many people respond to a variety of different treatment therapies for depression. Some people respond favorably to one therapy while some may require a combination of therapies.
Below are the 4 broad treatment therapies for depression;
1. Brain stimulation.
Used for patients with treatment resistant depression, brain stimulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, is used as a treatment therapy. As discussed below, a magnetic field is used to stimulate nerve cells in specific areas of the brain known to control mood control, in order to improve the symptoms of depression.
2. Medication.
Moderate to severe depression will use medication such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers to assist in treating depression.
3. Psychotherapy.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist or clinical social worker will use a variety of practises to change negative thinking.
4. Mind-body-food.
Often referred to as the “alternative therapies” these have shown to assist, with the assistance of medication and therapies, with the reduction in depression. Here changes in diet, increase in exercise, the use of meditation and an increased healthier lifestyle are encouraged.
USING TMS AS A TREATMENT THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION
TMS research indicates that it can be used as a treatment therapy for people experiencing anxiety, depression and other depressive disorders.
Connectomix has had success in treating patients who experienced depression.
TMS Device
A device that contains a magnetic coil is placed against the scalp. This device passes alternating current to specific areas of the brain known to control mood control, stimulating nerve cells, in order to improve the symptoms of depression.
Treatment Resistant Depression
Some types of depression, often referred to as treatment resistant depression, often require alternative depression treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, which research has found to be effective in treating [iv].
TMS targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This is the areas of the brain that is responsible for mood regulation.
FDA approval
TMS was first developed in 1985 and cleared for approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2008 as an effective treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant depression. [v]
TMS device
A device that contains a magnetic coil is placed against the scalp. This device passes alternating current to specific areas of the brain known to control mood control, stimulating nerve cells, in order to improve the symptoms of depression.
Non-invasive, outpatient
TMS is a non-invasive procedure and is done in the comfort of our Connectomix clinics. TMS is used by patients who have not had success from other treatment therapies.
Connectomix healthcare practitioners consider many factors if they are to utilise transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment option for depression. Each patient’s case is examined and assessed on an individual basis. A treatment plan is developed.
- Refer to your family and personal medical history
- Family history
- Past personal medical and psychological history.
- Current medical and psychological treatments.
We will consult with your current medical practitioners (including general practitioners, psychologist and psychiatrists)
What are some of the causes of depression?
Many people experience different symptoms of depression. There are many contributing factors that contribute to the type and the severity of depression, including but not limited to biochemistry, genetics, personality and environmental factors.
1. Genetics
Research indicates that some families are more vulnerable to experiencing depression. Notwithstanding the link between genetics and depression, people with no history of depression or depression running in the family can still be diagnosed with depression.
2. Hormones
Some people experience depression as a result from an over-or-under production of some hormones. The best treatment option for this type of depression is medication assisted treatment.
3. Grief, loss and trauma
If a person is prone to experiencing depression, a serious loss or traumatic event that that occurs in a persons life (more so if experienced in early life) can lead to the person suffering with depression.
4. Stress
Stress is a leading cause of depression. Prolonged stress, where a person experiences persistent stress (often referred to as chronic stress), is linked to symptoms of depression. [ii]Factors such as economic and financial concerns, spouse difficulties, health concerns and illnesses, unemployment, retirement, academic performance, and sudden major changes in life circumstances all have a contributing factor on a person experiencing depression.
5. Brain chemicals
The brain uses chemical substances called neurotransmitters to help nerve cells communicate to one another. This assists the different areas of the brain interacting and communicating with one another. It is the reduced or disturbed neurotransmission activity between the different areas that regulate functions such as appetite, sleep and mood. Research conducted in 2015 found that depression is linked to reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex region of a person brain. [iii]This is the area that is associated with depression symptoms such as appetite changes and low energy levels.
What are some of the characteristics of depression?
Depression expresses itself as many different things to many different people. Two different people may experience completely different things and can still be depressed. There are common characteristics and symptoms of depression that present themselves;
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia and excessive sleeping
- Moodiness and irritability
- Anxiety, agitation and restlessness
- Weight-loss or weight-gain
- Lethargy, tiredness and lack of energy
- Difficulty in concentration, decision making and coherent thinking,
- Suicide consideration, or attempted suicide,
- Physical problems, including back pain or headaches
We have listed the above as some examples of symptoms and characteristics of depression. This should not be used or considered as medical advise or conclusion.
If you feel that you are experiencing depression we urge you to consult your medical practitioner.
Depression is manageable and treatable.
Our Rooms
Our new rooms, designed by an acclaimed interior decorator, provide a tranquil space where you can relax or complete your work pre or post treatment. We have a shared lounge, private business rooms, a coffee bar and unlimited WIFI.
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Do you need immediate help of assistance?
Help is a call away. Depression can be treated.
Please consider calling one of the below organisations for assistance.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group
0800 567 567
011 234 487 (Monday to Sunday 8am – 8pm)
www.sadag.org
Akeso Crisis Helpline
0681 435 787
www.akeso.co.za
Suicide Crisis Helpline
0800 567 567
Lifeline South Africa
0861-322-322
www.lifelinesa.co.za
CIPLA Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789
Dr Reddy’s Mental Helpline
0800 21 22 23
Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline
0800 70 80 90
Dept. Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline
0800 12 13 14
[i] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression. Accessed December 2022.
[ii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31005627/. Accessed December 2002.
[iii]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4492646/. Accessed December 2022.
[iv] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22579164/. Accessed December 2022.
[v] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-treatment-obsessive-compulsive-disorder#:~:text=The%20FDA%20permitted%20marketing%20of,certain%20migraine%20headaches%20in%202013. Accessed December 2022.
TMS for depression
Find out more information how Connectomix offers TMS therapy for those suffering from depression.
TMS for OCD
Find out more information how Connectomix offers TMS therapy for those suffering from OCD.
TMS for anxiety
Find out more information how Connectomix offers TMS therapy for anxiety.
Our strategic partnership with Netcare Group, who operate 53 hospitals and 12 mental health facilities throughout southern Africa, enhances Connectomix service and product offerings by introducing new advanced healthcare related technology throughout South Africa.
Trusted by Netcare
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