You’ve tried therapy. You’ve tried medications—maybe two, three, or even more different antidepressants. You’ve given months to work, dealt with side effects, adjusted dosages, and followed your doctor’s recommendations to the letter. And yet, the fog of depression remains.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Nearly one-third of people with major depression don’t respond adequately to traditional antidepressants—a condition clinicians call treatment-resistant depression (TRD). But here’s what many people don’t know: when medications alone aren’t enough, there are proven alternatives that don’t require adding more pills to your routine.
At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC, located in Suwanee, Georgia (with a new location opening soon in Cumming), we specialize in helping individuals with treatment-resistant depression find relief through innovative, FDA-approved treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression is diagnosed when a person doesn’t experience significant improvement after trying at least two different antidepressant medications at adequate doses for sufficient durations (typically 6-8 weeks each).
According to recent research, people with TRD often face:
- Persistent low mood, fatigue, and loss of interest in activities
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Sleep disturbances and changes in appetite
- Feelings of hopelessness that interfere with daily life
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts
The emotional toll is profound. Many people with TRD feel like they’ve exhausted their options, and the repeated disappointment of treatments that don’t work can deepen feelings of hopelessness.
Why Don’t Antidepressants Work for Everyone?
Depression is not a one-size-fits-all condition. While antidepressants work by altering brain chemistry (primarily serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine), not everyone’s depression originates from the same neurological pathways.
Additionally, factors like genetics, past trauma, co-occurring medical conditions, and individual brain circuitry all play roles in how someone responds to treatment. This is why precision psychiatry—tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique biology and history—is becoming the new standard in mental health care.
How TMS Therapy Works
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. Unlike medication, which affects your entire body, TMS targets only the areas of the brain that need activation.
At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC, we use BrainsWay Deep TMS (dTMS), an advanced system that reaches deeper brain structures than traditional TMS. This technology has been shown to be highly effective for treatment-resistant depression, as well as depression with anxiety and OCD.
Here’s what makes TMS different:
No Systemic Side Effects: TMS doesn’t circulate through your bloodstream, so it doesn’t cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or digestive issues commonly associated with antidepressants.
Non-Invasive and Painless: TMS is performed in our office while you’re awake and alert. Most people describe the sensation as a light tapping on the scalp.
Quick Sessions: Each treatment takes about 20 minutes, and you can drive yourself to and from appointments.
Proven Results: Clinical studies show that about 60-70% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience significant improvement with TMS, and about one-third achieve full remission.
Who Is a Good Candidate for TMS?
TMS may be right for you if:
- You’ve tried at least two antidepressants without adequate relief
- You can’t tolerate the side effects of medications
- You prefer a non-medication approach
- You have depression with co-occurring anxiety
- You’ve been diagnosed with OCD that hasn’t responded to treatment
TMS is FDA-approved for adults and is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
What to Expect During TMS Treatment
A typical TMS treatment course consists of daily sessions (Monday through Friday) for 4-6 weeks. During each session:
You’ll sit comfortably in a chair
- A TMS helmet will be positioned on your head
- Magnetic pulses will be delivered to targeted brain regions
- You can read, listen to music, or simply relax during the 20-minute session
- Afterward, you can immediately return to your normal activities
Most people begin to notice improvements after 2-3 weeks of treatment, with continued progress throughout the full course.
Beyond TMS: Comprehensive Care at Empower Psychiatry
While TMS is a powerful tool for treatment-resistant depression, we believe in a comprehensive approach. Dr. Ravi Singareddy, our board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience and affiliation with the Emory Healthcare Network, works with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan.
This may include:
- TMS therapy
- Medication optimization using genetic testing (GeneSight)
- Spravato (esketamine) for severe, treatment-resistant depression
- Coordinated care with your therapist
- Lifestyle and sleep optimization strategies
Our practice also offers Suboxone treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders, recognizing that comprehensive mental health care addresses the whole person.
Your Next Step
If you’ve been struggling with depression that won’t respond to traditional treatments, it’s time to explore other options. At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC, we’ve helped hundreds of people in the Greater Atlanta area reclaim their lives through advanced, evidence-based treatments.
We accept most major commercial insurance plans and Medicare, and we offer convenient appointment times, including Saturdays.
You deserve to feel better. Treatment-resistant depression is not a life sentence—it’s a signal that your brain may respond better to a different approach.
Schedule Your Confidential Consultation Today
Call (770) 615-0226 to learn more about TMS therapy and other innovative treatments for depression.
Locations:
- Current: 3390 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 200, Suwanee, GA 30024
Take the first step toward lasting relief. We’re here to help.
About Dr. Ravi Singareddy: Dr. Singareddy is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, including nearly a decade at Penn State University Medical Center conducting clinical work, education, and research. He is an affiliate of the Emory Healthcare Network and specializes in treatment-resistant mental health disorders. Dr. Singareddy is REMS-certified to prescribe Spravato and leads one of the Greater Atlanta area’s most comprehensive TMS programs.
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