How Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy Work for Mental Health Conditions?

Antidepressants have worked for many people to treat depression, anxiety, and other neurological problems since the 1980s. But now many people don’t respond well to those medications and looking for an effective, long-term solution to achieve optimal mental well-being. This is where Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) comes to the rescue. Aren’t really familiar with this concept? Don’t worry; we are here to help you!Preview Changes (opens in a new tab)

TMS Treatment is relatively a new practice in the medical field that has been people thousands of people to cope with mental health problems. It is a non-invasive, effective, and painless procedure that uses powerful magnetic pulses to fuel your nerve cells in the brain to reduce the symptoms of depression.

Read on to understand how it works, how much beneficial it is, and when it is used.

First of all, know what is TMS?

TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy doesn’t use any actual magnet but a coil of wiring to send signals out on a magnetic field. You don’t require any surgery, electrodes, or anesthesia before and after the treatment. Since it involves repetitive magnetic pulses, sometimes it is also known as Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS).

This is generally used to treat depression. If antidepressant medications and other therapies aren’t working for you, you can take advice from our specialists at Mind-Brain Institute to have your life back again.

How TMS Treatment Actually Works?

The TMS therapy is done by a TMS technician or TMS expert. It is basically an outpatient process, so you will be invited to a comfortable place for a session where you can watch TV or listen to music, anything you’d like. You don’t need to stay overnight for this treatment.

Before the session, you are required to remove things or objects that are sensitive to magnets. Here’s how the TMS session takes place:

• Your technician may ask you to wear earplugs to reduce the tapping sound of magnetic impulses. You will get a comfortable chair to sit and you will be awake throughout the process.
• If it is your first TMS session, an expert will ask some questions regarding your symptoms and medical history to determine whether TMS is right for you. They will measure your head to place the magnetic coil in the right section.
• When the treatment starts, you will hear clicking sound repetitively as magnetic wires are released.
• The therapy will last for at least 30 minutes. You can simply drive yourself home after the process and get back to your normal routine.

At Mind-Brain Institute, we recommend a 6-week treatment course for five days per week (Monday to Friday) of successful outcomes. A technician may perform re-mapping if find it necessary at any point of the course to improve its effectiveness.

Benefits of TMS Therapy

Many people have tried different therapy options and medications before receiving positive results with TMS. As it has no or minimal side effects, the procedure may be helpful for you in the following conditions:

• Improve Depression Symptoms, like low energy levels, mood, and appetite changes
• Reduce Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms
• Ease anxiety and psychological disorders
• Effective and safe to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)                                                                   
• Reduce the need for alcohol, tobacco, and other substances

When TMS Therapy is used?

If you are suffering from depression and anxiety, your healthcare practitioner may recommend psychotherapy and antidepressants before TMS. However, you can evaluate whether you’re the right candidate, in instances when:

• You have tried one or more antidepressants but showed good results
• You have faced adverse side effects when taking antidepressants
• You are a child, young, or event adult

Talk to Us to See If TMS is the Right Choice for You

If you and your loved one are suffering from depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, it’s time to take a step forward and opt for TMS therapy for optimum results. Your depression symptoms may improve over time or gradually go away.

We will use TMS to target the specific areas of your brain, which will alleviate symptoms of depression. It can also help to treat OCD, PTSD, and anxiety. If you have any concerns regarding TMS, speak to us today. We’d be more than happy to assist you!