Benefits of TMS Therapy

 

Depression and anxiety disorders are prevalent in today’s world, the age group most affected is 18-29 followed by 45-64 then 65+ and lastly those aged between 30-44. Depression and anxiety disorders symptoms are confused with sadness and laziness, but that is not true. Depression and anxiety disorders hamper a person’s ability to spend a normal life. The feelings of sadness, laziness, emptiness and loneliness are looming overhead all the time, they can strike hard even when you’re doing your favourite thing or spending time with your loved ones. Depression and anxiety disorders are as real as fever or any other illness and the stigma attached to them should now be overthrown. There’re many new and advanced ways to combat these illnesses and in this article, we’re going about one such cure called TMS therapy.

What is TMS Therapy?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a therapy that triggers or activates the brain. It uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate the brain cells which helps improve the symptoms of neurological disorders like panic attacks and depression. TMS is a great alternative therapy for people who don’t respond to traditional medication like antidepressants and psychotherapy. Due to its amazing effects and positive results, in 2008 FDA approved TMS therapy as a cure for depression which was not before that. TMS therapy has also shown potential in treating other mental issues like Parkison’s disease, OCD disorder, Post Traumatic disorders and others. TMS is also known as rTMS as it uses repetitive electromagnetic stimulations to treat the patients.

How does TMS Therapy Works?

The therapy is performed by a professional TMS technician or physician. The therapy is a painless procedure in which you’re seated in a comfortable chair and given ear plugs to minimize the clicking sound produced by the magnetic impulses. For the first time, the technician will measure the circumference of your head to ensure precision of the magnetic coil and will take a few more measurements to provide personalized and specific stimulations for better treatment. The magnetic coil will be placed over your head and you’ll hear clicking sounds generated by the impulses and you’ll also feel knocking or tapping sensations beneath the coil. The whole process can last anywhere between 30-60 mins depending on the requirement and number of sessions.

The Benefits of TMS Therapy

TMS Therapy has shown positive impact on many patients who were not responding to medication and psychotherapy. This kind of depression is also known as treatment-resistant-depression and TMS therapy is the perfect solution for this kind. According to the research and study, depression is directly linked to the inactivity of the brain in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for the energy levels, mood swings and appetite. TMS therapy activates this part which in turn alleviates the symptoms of depression, panic attacks and anxiety disorders. TMS therapy has many more benefits which we’re going to look into, so let’s dive right in.

1.      Non-invasive, no anaesthesia Required

TMS Therapy’s best part is that it’s a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t involve any surgery or incision. All the process is done while the patient is wide awake as the therapy doesn’t cause any pain, discomfort or uneasiness that is unbearable. You relax, listen to music, talk to a family member or just close your eyes. It’s an outpatient procedure so no need to stay overnight in a hospital, in fact you can drive to the clinic yourself and drive back as well.

2.      High Success Rate

For any medication, treatment or therapy to gain popularity is necessary because it works on varied patients with diverse symptoms and TMS therapy has been able to achieve that. The traditional medication of depression, panic attacks and anxiety disorders are the antidepressants which have a number of side effects, severe withdrawal symptoms and the rate of success isn’t that great either. On the other hand, TMS therapy has a success rate of whopping 68% as compared to medication which is only 37.5 %, almost half of it. But the latest data received from the Los Angeles patients shows that the success rate has jumped to 92.5%! This means that 92.5% of the patients that completed their TMS therapy course felt relieved from the harsh symptoms.

3.      Long-Lasting Impact

Another great benefit of TMS therapy is that its effects last way longer and stronger than the medication, whose effects waiver off within a few hours with the risk that the patient can relapse and face an intensified situation upon discontinuation or missed doses. Research and study have shown that the good effects of TMS therapy can last at least one year for almost 90% of the people.

4.      Safe Therapy with Minimal Side-Effects

TMS therapy is very safe, has minimal side effects and the effects are not damaging or long-lasting at all. Unlike the traditional medication of depression and panic attacks which is ingested and causes systemic reaction in the body like weight gain, laziness, fatigue, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, insomnia and memory loss, the side Effects of this TMS are short lived and nothing serious at all. The side effects of TMS therapy includes minor headaches, scalp discomfort and light-headedness which lasts only for a few minutes after the session ends. With this therapy you can carry on with your normal life soon after the session is over.

5.      Advancement in Technology

New advancements in technology have made room for newer TMS machines that allow the magnetic pulses to operate at different frequencies on different parts of the brain, making it easy for the brain to adapt to it. One of these new technologies is Theta Burst Stimulations, which takes less time but shows equal or more efficacy levels. The new advancement is also lighter on pocket, causes zero strain on your daily life and is way more accessible. In fact, TMS therapies at times can be 100% covered by insurance companies since it's now approved by FDA, so don’t forget to ask your insurance company!

Summing It Up

First of all anyone who is feeling depressive or suffering from anxiety disorders must seek medical help by a professional. If you consider TMS therapy then keep in mind that it is non-invasive, non-systemic, long lasting and FDA approved.

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