What Is Low-Grade Depression and Can TMS Therapy Work for It?

health saf - April 5, 2022

TMS Therapy: Reports show that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Clayton, NC. Psychological issues like low-grade depression can soon escalate into suicidal depression if left unattended.

Low-grade depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and tiredness, but without the intensity of classic depressive symptoms. The loss of interest in routine activities once enjoyed and an inability to feel pleasure brings functional limitations that impact work or school, family life, personal care, and relationships.

Treatment options like TMS therapy in Clayton can help manage low-grade depression and other similar conditions.

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Types of Low-Grade Depression

People who experience low-grade depression often say their condition feels like a chronic state of ‘being stuck.’ As Harvard psychologist Richard Bentall puts it: “All I know is that something has gone wrong inside me; I’m not able to get any sense of satisfaction or enjoyment out of anything.”

While you could be sad for no reason at all, you might also turn to substance abuse, eating unhealthy food, or sleep all day long. You may also think about suicide more often.Stats show that between 10 and 20 % of the US population suffers from low-grade depression annually. There are different types of low-grade depression:

Dysthymia is a chronic and persistent (yet mild) form of low-grade depression that can last for years and often goes unnoticed by the person experiencing it;
Adjustment disorder with depressed mood is a short-term episode of low-grade depression with symptoms lasting between two weeks and six months following a significant life change such as getting married, moving home, or losing your job;
Depressive neurosis with somatic features describes people who experience physical symptoms — aches and pains — in addition to feelings of sadness, without necessarily feeling low in mood;
Cyclothymia is a low-grade depression that lasts at least two years, with symptoms that come and go. People with cyclothymia can find it difficult to function normally when their symptoms are intense.

Typical culprits that contribute to low-grade depression include:

Physical illness or disability;
Persistent negative thinking patterns;

Studies show that teenagers are at high risk of developing low-grade depression, and over 6% of Clayton’s population comprises teens. While self-help activities like regular workouts, a balanced diet, enhanced social interactions, and informal therapy can help, it’s best to seek professional psychological treatment for the best results.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Low-Grade Depressions?

When low-grade depression goes untreated, it often gets worse over time. Left unchecked, chronic low-grade depression may lead to more severe forms of the condition, including Dysthymia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, or pain disorder.

If depression has been present for an extended period, you are more likely to have low-self esteem, impaired social functioning, and other problems in your personal life. People with severe depression may not be capable of working, maintaining relationships, or even completing routine tasks like brushing, eating on time, or leaving the house.

In some cases, low-grade depression is accompanied by mild or severe anxiety. It is vital to consult a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist at the earliest if you experience panic attacks, chest pains, or other physical symptoms.

Treatment options for low-grade depression include the use of antidepressants (SSRIs), psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). There is some evidence that TMS Therapy in Clayton might work as well, if not better than traditional antidepressant medications for this condition.

How Can You Prevent Low-Grade Depression from Getting Worse?

There are many things low-grade depression patients can do to manage and prevent the worsening of their symptoms:

Ensuring you keep active and regularly participate in physical activity;
Spending time with people who make you feel good and avoiding those who don’t;
Reducing or eliminating unhealthy habits such as drinking too much alcohol (>14 servings per week), smoking, overeating junk food, or not getting enough sleep;
Learning relaxation techniques;
Using CBT to challenge depressive thoughts and gradually learn new ways of thinking.

TMS Therapy Can Help to Reduce or Eliminate Your Symptoms of Low-Grade Depression

TMS therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and painless treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS therapy has been clinically proven to effectively treat depression by stimulating brain areas responsible for mood regulation

While antidepressants or psychotherapy may take several months before you start seeing results, TMS therapy works within a week or two. To be more precise, a well-trained clinician can determine if you are experiencing low-grade depression after your first session and change your treatment plan accordingly.

TMS therapy does not cause any adverse side effects such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction like other antidepressant medications might.