What is Depression?
 It is estimated that yearly more than 14 million American adults have significant depression symptoms. Depression usually causes a continuing state of sadness, sometimes with nervousness or anxiety. Sleep and eating are often affected, and there is sometimes weight gain or loss. Patients often report a lack of interest in or pleasure from their usual activities, and they often experience difficultly concentrating or functioning at work.
A physician treating depression will usually begin with a single anti-depressant medication sometimes accompanied by psychotherapy. Most studies have shown that only about 35% of patients will respond with success to a single anti-depressant medication. Consequently, a second, third, and even occasionally a 4th medication may be added to the patient's regime.
While the added medications do sometimes result in a positive outcome, most studies have shown that no more than 60-70% of patients ultimately respond to any combination of medications and psychotherapy; furthermore, at least 40% of all patients on anti-depressant medications complain of significant medication side effects!
At New York Group for Treatment Resistant Depression/TMS Central Park South Psychiatry, we individualize our treatment with the aim of helping each patient conquer his or her depression while minimizing the number of medications and the uncomfortable side effects of medications.
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