Inspirational Women
Dr. Shashita Inamdar, W
E'VE ALL HEARD THE PHRASE, "think positive" or "be grateful," but for some, being happy is not a choice that they get to make. For some, being happy is a daily struggle. The Mayo Clinic defines depression as 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. More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness, and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. This long-term treatment has typically been a cocktail of medications; however, a new answer has come in the form of TMS. TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and it is a treatment option that is now FDA cleared for depression and covered by every major commercial insurance carrier. This safe, localized and non-invasive treatment involves magnetic pulses that penetrate the cerebral cortex to stimulate the mood center of the brain. It works by placing a cushioned helmet with a magnetic coil on the patient’s head. MRI-strength magnetic pulses are then directed into the mood center of the brain where they stimulate and depolarize cortical neurons that are underactive in depressed brains, improving neural conduction and promoting the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. You can think of it as a traffic jam on the freeway with TMS opening up lanes that free up blockages and get everything moving again. Patients begin treatment by receiving an initial brain mapping where the mood center of the brain is identified
and targeted. Once this area is located, a certified and trained technician administers the treatments while patients comfortably recline in a chair surrounded by soothing music or entertainment. Patients report that treatment feels like a pulsed tapping on the side of the forehead. The typical course of treatment approved by most insurances is a 20-minute treatment five days per week for six weeks. The response rate for TMS vs. medications is staggering. Where medications show a 30-40% response rate, TMS has a 70-75 % response rate and remission rates of 45-50% meaning no depressive symptoms for these patients when treatment ends. Unlike medication which must go through the entire body and GI tract before making its way to the brain, TMS treats the exact area of need. When an individual takes prescription medication such as Prozac or Zoloft only a small amount reaches the brain. Not to mention, that there are generally sexual, emotional, and physical side effects with prescription medication. At Achieve TMS Centers, a multidisciplinary approach to treating depression and anxiety is used incorporating a wide array of healthcare providers to ensure the best possible result for each patient, Achieve TMS is committed to making TMS treatment available and accessible. The doctor behind this revolutionary treatment center is Shashita Inamdar. Dr. Inamdar is the Medical Director of Achieve Medical. Beyond being an extremely accomplished professional, she is the driving force behind Achieve TMS’ success and one of the most powerful influences in bringing TMS treatment to the masses. Dr. Inamdar is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Board. This medical genius has over 20 years of expertise in
Photos courtesy of Dr. Inamdar
ACHIEVING RESULTS WITH TMS By Jaime V. Habert
the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. Achieve TMS’s principle concept comes from Dr. Inamdar’s belief that an all-encompassing and comprehensive take on psychiatric care is the only proven method of treatment. This comprehensive care includes a 360-degree approach to healthcare. Achieve TMS advocates for both therapy and medications when necessary, but, also looks to each patient’s individual needs first and foremost. An innovator in her own right, Dr. Inamdar seeks to work with clients on their own terms; finding alternative methods of treatment that may not be in the mainstream diagnosis. Often, she finds her clients respond best to a combination of diet, personal training, counseling, and TMS sessions. Micronutrient Testing is a pillar of treatment. With Micronutrient Testing, a comprehensive nutrient analysis of one’s dietary intake is taken, and functional deficiencies are measured at the cellular level. This allows us to assess how well your body utilizes 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites while meeting the body's need for micronutrients and enabling the production of enzymes, hormones, and other substances essential for proper growth, and development. There is overwhelming evidence that micronutrient deficiencies are
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