TMS Therapy: How Does It Work?

 

Transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) is a type of brain stimulation therapy. The non-invasive TMS treatmentuses electromagnetic pulses in order to stimulate nerve cells. It can help with symptoms of neurological or mental disorders. It is effective in treating patients who do not respond to antidepressant medication or psychotherapy. The Food and Drug Administration approved TMS for this purpose.

TMS has been proven to be effective in the treatment of anxiety and Parkinson's disease. They are often interchangeable.

 

TMS Therapy is carried out by specialists. The procedure can be performed outpatient or in a clinic. If the procedure is done in a hospital, you won't need to stay.

transcranial magnetic stimulation

Before the procedure, you will need to remove any sensitive or magnet-sensitive items, such as jewelry.

These are some of the things you can expect from TMS

• Your technician will suggest that you use earplugs to reduce the sound of the magnetic impulses clicking. The technician will place you in a comfortable chair. You will not be given general anesthesia. During the entire procedure, you will be awake.
• If this is your first session, your technician will measure your head. Additional measurements are required to personalize the TMS machine.
• Technician will place the coil above your brain's frontal region. The technician will then start the treatment.
• A clicking sound will be heard as the magnetic impulses are released. Under the magnetic coil, you'll also hear a tapping or knocking sound.
• The entire procedure takes between 30-60 minutes. You can drive home after the procedure and go back to your regular activities.

For approximately 4 to 6 week, the procedure will be repeated 5 days per week. The length of your treatment will depend on your response and the specific conditions you have.

Benefits -

Depression treatment using TMS

The primary purpose of TMS is to treat major depression (MDD). It's sometimes called a depressive disorder. If you haven't found relief with medication or psychotherapy, this is the best option. This is called treatment-resistant depression. For approximately 30% of those suffering from depression, these treatments don't work.

Depression affects the prefrontal cortex less. Depression symptoms include low energy, changes in appetite, and low energy. TMS can stimulate nerve cells, increasing activity.

TMS treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

TMS may be able to improve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD TMS was approved by the FDA. OCD patients with OCD who have not responded to medication and psychotherapy should consider TMS.

OCD sufferers have an increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, and the striatum. OCD can cause severe symptoms like hyperconnectivity. TMS can be used to reduce OCD symptoms. It blocks brain activity.

TMS treatment for anxiety

TMS can be used for OCD, depression, and anxiety. Anxiety symptoms can be caused by these conditions. For generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), TMS might also be beneficial.

Anxiety can often be accompanied by an increase in activity of prefrontal cortex nerve cells. TMS could reduce activity in this region.