Bluewater Health has started offering an innovative treatment for Sarnia-Lambton residents experiencing major depression.
Dr. Emmanuel Anyaegbuna, a Psychiatrist and Medical Director for Bluewater Health's Mental Health and Addiction Services, said Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation [rTMS] is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that has been medically proven to reduce symptoms.
"It's a treatment that's used for people who suffer from depression and people who have not responded very well to treatment with medication, so, talk-therapy," said Anyaegbuna.
He said there is a huge need in the community for treatment options.
"[For] some people, our regular, usual treatments, do not work for them. Or, for some reason or another, they really do not want to do other kinds of treatments and they would prefer something like the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation."
Treatments are provided daily [excluding weekends and holidays] over a typical treatment course of four to six weeks.
"There's no surgery required, you are awake throughout the period of the procedure, you don't need a general anesthesia, it's painless and it works very well," said Anyaegbuna.
Bluewater Health has been offering the service to a number of eligible patients over the last few months and Anyaebuna said the majority have seen their symptoms improving.
Individuals must be over 18-years-old and receive a referral from a psychiatrist to determine their eligibility for the treatment.