Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could help people whose depression doesn’t respond to medication or who don’t want to deal with the side effects of medication. Depression is one of the most common types of mental illness, which is more common than people think. Traditional treatments, like medication or talk therapy, are often helpful, but people with depression that doesn’t respond to these methods may want to try TMS Therapy New Jersey.
A look at how TMS is used to treat depression
TMS is a good way to help people with depression, and it has shown positive results in many studies over the last 20 years. It is often used when other treatments for depression, like antidepressants or psychotherapy, don’t work.
TMS is based on the idea that people with depression tend to have less or different activity in certain parts of their brains. Stimulating the nerve cells in those areas may change and restore these activities, which can help relieve depression symptoms.
How TMS works
Magnets are used in TMS to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that are connected to mood and depression. The stimulus is soft and usually doesn’t hurt. The procedure does not hurt the patient, and they are awake during the sessions. TMS doesn’t need any sedatives or painkillers.
How to prepare for treatment
An electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp sends magnetic pulses to a small area on the surface of the brain. A typical treatment session could last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. During the whole process, the patient is awake and fully aware. They might hear a quiet clicking sound or feel like someone is tapping on their head.
Treatment usually takes place five times a week for four to six weeks. For the best results, the psychiatrist might recommend up to 20 sessions on weekdays in a row. After a treatment session, patients can go back to doing normal things like driving or going to work.
What are the good and bad things about TMS?
There are many different ways to use TMS. People with OCD may do better with a slower magnetic pulse, while people with severe depression may do better with a faster pulse. Some TMS patients may be able to stop taking antidepressants altogether, while others may be able to take less of them. Before you stop taking antidepressants on prescription, you should talk to your doctor or therapist about it.
Most of the time, the side effects are small and go away quickly after therapy. Possible side effects include a sore scalp, headaches, and facial muscles that twitch.
Those who want to be TMS
TMS is not recommended for people under 18 right now because there isn’t enough information about how it affects younger teens or children. It is also not a good idea for pregnant women or people with metal implants like defibrillators, heart monitors, pacemakers, or vagus nerve stimulators (VNS).
