Important Questions to Ask About TMS Therapy
People plagued
by mental disorders could best relieve their pains through sessions of TMS therapy. Sometimes, any form of
drugs just would not work on depressed individuals and even leave them more
hopeless about their situation. It could be a scary step to try something
unusual but it might just be the perfect solution for persons suffering from
emotional meltdowns. When patients feel hesitant to try something innovative
just like this form of treatment, asking practical questions is a way to go.
Before taking
such extraordinary therapy, clients may enquire about the way it is performed,
its difference with the dTMS treatment, its compatibility to a person’s needs,
its medical history, the longevity of its effects, and the possibility of
symptoms worsening after having such treatment. To know how beneficial each
question is, continue reading the details below.
What is repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Repetitive
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment for depression, OCD,
addictions and other mental health conditions. The TMS machine emits high-frequency
magnetic pulses to the area of the brain known to cause the condition. TMS therapy fuels the brain resulting in
‘neuroplasticity’ wherein the brain mends and builds connections between the
nerve cells. In the case of depression, for example, the left side of the prefrontal
cortex is stimulated, restoring the connections to help it work as it should,
without the symptoms of depression.
Are TMS and dTMS the same treatment?
Although
similar, TMS is more commonly used. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation uses a magnet referred to by professionals as a ‘figure of eight
coil’. This coil emits repetitive magnetic pulses to the specific area of the
brain known to cause the condition being treated. In comparison, deep
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or dTMS, uses an ‘H-coil’, which looks like
a helmet. Here, magnetic pulses are radiated on larger brain areas since it’s
much less focused than TMS.
Why should I undergo TMS therapy?
Sometimes
medication and therapy are not effective in treating depression. In these situations,
the patient and their mental health professional may decide to try TMS therapy
as an alternative. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses electromagnetic waves
to stimulate certain areas of the patient’s brain. This type of therapy can
seem intimidating to those unfamiliar with it. They may confuse it with
electroconvulsive therapy, which can have significant side effects, including
memory loss. Bear in mind that an RTMS
treatment is a non-invasive procedure with few side effects. It is also
only used in cases where no other intervention has worked.
When did doctors start using TMS?
Research
around TMS began in the 1980s. This research centred on which areas of the
brain controlled certain functions and which areas might be not functioning
correctly in mood disorders such as depression. Specialists studied TMS and its
effects for many years before it was available for use with the general public.
In 2008, TMS treatment became
FDA approved and is now regarded as a successful standard treatment around the
country.
Can TMS treat anything else?
Currently, TMS
is used primarily for depression patients who do not respond to other
treatments. But currently, RTMS
treatmentis further
researched by specialists to verify if it can also be applied to other
disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia, and OCD.
How long do TMS benefits last?
The benefits
of repetitive TMS varies from patient to patient. Some people never need TMS
again—they’re out of their depressed episode and they do fine. Others require
tune-ups. Good studies have shown that if people quickly undergoes the
treatment before they start to relapse, they can get out of the depression very
quickly. Instead of 6 weeks of treatment, they can be well again in 2 or 3
weeks. It doesn’t seem that patients build up a tolerance with this technology.
To maintain their remission over time, some patients require one or two
sessions of a TMS treatment
every couple of weeks. Some patients have done that for up to a decade now, and
it seems to work quite well. Most of these people are also on antidepressant
medications, but somehow with TMS, they’re able to get a quality of life that
they were not before.
Is there a possibility to worsen with the treatment?
Fortunately,
no one seems to get worse with the treatment. Unlike with electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT), where people worry about a problem with memory, there are no
adverse cognitive effects with TMS at all — it’s quite benign in that way. Drug
interactions aren’t experienced so it’s suitable for those who are already on
various kinds of medications.
Based on the interrogatives mentioned above,
there are a few big things that individuals suffering from depression should
not ignore before undergoing TMS
therapy. Those with mental and emotional illnesses can distinguish the
suitability of this treatment to their cases just by inquiring about the
possibility of symptoms worsening after having such therapy, the way it is
performed, its difference with the dTMS treatment, its compatibility with a
person’s needs, its medical history and the longevity of its effects. Without a
doubt, getting the answers to such questions could be the smartest thing a
person can do to confirm that undergoing such treatment could lead to a full
recovery.