Symptoms
Testing
Treatments
When should I seek help for depression?
Depression is such a common mental health problem that people tend to minimize their need for help. However, clinical depression isn’t like “the blues,” and it doesn’t go away on its own. It’s time to consider a consultation with a mental health wellness physician like Dr. Asif when depression interferes with your daily life and you have symptoms such as:
- Little or no interest in daily activities
- A change in sleeping habits
- Difficulty making decisions
- Low energy levels or fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of suicide
Many patients also experience physical symptoms such as body pain, headaches, and digestive problems.
How does a brain checkup help to guide depression treatment?
The specialized diagnostic approach you receive at Brain Wellness Center isn’t available from other mental health providers. Dr. Asif devoted years to developing a holistic approach, creating a comprehensive brain checkup that combines conventional psychiatric assessments with neuroscience-based technologies that reveal brain functioning.
Quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG)
During a QEEG, your brain waves are recorded and your brain activity in 19 key areas is mapped, showing areas that are underactive and associated with mood. Your first QEEG provides baseline information about your brain function. As you go through treatment, additional QEEG results can be compared to previous tests to physically verify treatment effectiveness.
Cognitive testing
Dr. Asif uses this neuroscience-based testing to measure brain function as it relates to problems such as depression and attention deficit disorders.
Biostress test
This test measures psychological stress while keeping track of your brain waves, breathing, and heart rate, providing information about how your brain and body react to stress.
Genetic assay
Using the Genecept™ Assay test to identify how your body metabolizes drugs allows Dr. Asif to prescribe the best medication without trial and error.
How is depression treated?
Depression is typically treated with two modalities: psychotherapy and medications. Both are offered at Brain Wellness Center, but the advanced treatment goes way beyond the basics offered by other mental health providers:
Medication management
Your genetic assay is especially important for making medication decisions for depression. There are many types of antidepressants, and more than half of patients don’t respond to their first medication, a problem that’s avoided with genetic testing.
Neuropsychotherapy
Dr. Asif offers psychotherapy, including mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, but he has developed a unique, innovative difference: During your therapy, your brain patterns are recorded using QEEG. Observing the way your brain reacts and functions during therapy gives Dr. Asif the opportunity to fully customize your treatment.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
TMS uses a magnetic field to stimulate electrical activity in the area of your brain that controls mood. When Dr. Asif places the device against your head, the magnetic pulses travel safely through your skull, reaching only a small, targeted area of your brain. As TMS boosts nerve activity, levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine increase, improving your mood and lifting depression.
TMS is cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat patients whose depression doesn’t improve with medication. You receive at least five treatments per week for 4-6 weeks.
In addition to those listed, Dr. Asif offers additional revolutionary therapies that help relieve depression. You may be a good candidate for treatments such as neurofeedback therapy using the Brain Master AVATAR™ or photobiomodulation with the Vielight® system.
If you suffer from depression, cutting-edge treatment at Brain Wellness Center offers long-lasting relief by improving brain function. To schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature. While they don’t accept insurance, your out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed by sending the bill they provide, including CPT codes, to your insurance provider.
