Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy might help if you suffer from depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, postpartum depression, and many more. I know medications and traditional therapy are effective tools for managing mental health conditions, but TMS therapy can provide additional benefits.
Now, there’s a lot to learn if you’ve never heard of TMS. That’s why I’m explaining what TMS therapy is and discussing some of the many mental health conditions that TMS therapy can help combat. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is TMS Therapy?
Your biggest question is probably, “What is TMS therapy?” TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It’s a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of your brain that are believed to be involved in depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.
During a TMS therapy session, a device will be placed on your head to deliver magnetic pulses to your brain, stimulating the nerve cells that are believed to contribute to your mental health issues.
I’m here to assure you that there’s no pain or discomfort involved in TMS therapy; you’ll only feel a tapping sensation or hear a clicking sound. Side effects are rare, which is relieving to lots of people!
Typically, you’ll attend TMS therapy sessions every day for several weeks. The good news is that these sessions are very short. While most providers offer sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes, our TMS treatment only takes four minutes.
How is that possible? Well, I know you’re busy, so we’ve invested in new technology and impeccable training that allows us to provide theta burst treatments, which are much shorter and proven to be more effective.
The best part is that TMS therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment ideal for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. It is effective in many clinical studies, and some people who haven’t had success with other treatments like medication or therapy have found relief with TMS therapy.
What Can Be Treated With TMS Therapy?
I’m glad you asked. The good news is, a lot of disorders can be treated with TMS therapy. In this section, I’ll provide you with a detailed overview of some of the more common conditions and how they can affect your body.
Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It’s characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in things that used to be enjoyable. Depression can interfere with your daily life, work, and relationships.
Depression can show up in a lot of ways, with symptoms varying by person. I could experience depression differently than you. Some common symptoms include:
- Feeling sad or anxious most of the time.
- Not having any interested in activities you once enjoyed.
- Feeling tired.
- Having a hard time falling asleep or sleeping too much.
- Not feeling hungry or overeating; seeing your weight fluctuate.
- Feeling guilty or like you’re worthless.
- Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions.
- Having thoughts of death or suicide.
If you have depression, it could be caused by genetic, biological, environmental, and/or psychological factors.
If you want to seak treatment for your depression, you can look at medication, therapy, or a combination of both. A lot of people who have depression take antidepressant medications that regulate the levels of certain brain chemicals associated with mood. Therapy can help you learn coping skills and strategies to manage your symptoms.
Anxiety Disorders
OK, let’s chat about anxiety disorders now. There are multiple, and they’ll cause you to excessively worry or persistently feel fear. These conditions can interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias.
If you have an anxiety disorder, your symptoms might include:
- Feelings of worry or fear that are difficult to control.
- Restlessness or irritability.
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.
- Muscle tension or physical discomfort.
- Racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating.
- Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety.
Genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors often cause and affect anxiety disorders. The good news is that there are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
If you have OCD, you’re likely dealing with persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses. These can be very distressing and difficult to ignore. These thoughts might cause repetitive behaviors or mental acts that you feel compelled to perform to make the anxiety go away.
Common OCD fears include contamination fears, a need for order, and intrusive thoughts relate to harm or violence.
We don’t know exactly what causes OCD, but we believe that genetics and environment factors play a role. And OCD can be exacerbated by stress or trauma.
The good news is that, like depression and anxiety, effective treatments are available for OCD. Therapy and medications in the SSRI family are often found to be most effective.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Traumatic events usually trigger PTSD. Examples include combat exposure, sexual or physical assault, natural disasters, or serious accidents. Like the other health conditions we’ve discussed, PTSD can manifest in a lot of different ways. Common symptoms include:
- Having flashbacks or memories you can’t get out of your head.
- Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event.
- Feeling like you’re constantly on guard.
- Having a hard time sleeping or concentrating.
- Feeling irritable or having angry outbursts.
- Feeling guilty or ashamed.
- Having adverse changes in mood or thinking.
Now, PTSD is a complex condition. Genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors can all affect PTSD. You could be at a higher risk for developing PTSD, depending on your life experiences and coping mechanisms.
Bipolar Disorder
You might have bipolar disorder if you have extreme mood swings that range from high-energy or manic episodes to low-energy or depressive episodes.
During a manic episode, you may feel thrilled, energetic, or irritable. You may have racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping, and feel the urge to engage in impulsive or risky behaviors.
During a depressive episode, you may feel sad, hopeless, and have little energy or motivation. You may have difficulty sleeping, experience changes in appetite, and have thoughts of suicide.
Did you know there are several types of bipolar disorder? You could have bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, or cyclothymic disorder. Of course, like with any other mental health condition, symptoms and severity can vary by person. Your symptoms might be more or less severe than other people you know who also have bipolar disorder.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for bipolar disorder, including medication and therapy. Mood stabilizers can help reduce symptoms and prevent relapse. Therapy can help you learn coping skills and strategies to manage your mood swings.
Chronic Pain
If you feel persistent pain that lasts for over three months, it’s probably chronic. There are two types of pain: chronic and acute. Acute pain is a normal response to injury or illness that typically goes away once the underlying cause is treated. However, chronic pain can be ongoing, and you might not be able to identify its cause.
So, what causes chronic pain? Nerve damage, inflammation, or changes in how the brain processes pain signals are a few causes of chronic pain. It can also be associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain.
Chronic pain can be really challenging to deal with and significantly impact your daily life, work, and relationships. It can make sleeping, concentrating, or engaging in physical activity difficult. It can also lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
There are several treatment options you can pursue for chronic pain. Your source of treatment will depend on how bad the pain is and if there’s an underlying cause. Medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage can all help. Surgery can also be an option if other pain-relieving treatments aren’t working for you.
It’s important to understand that chronic pain is a complex condition that may not have a simple solution. To effectively manage your chronic pain, you’ll need to be patient and be willing to try different treatment approaches.
But don’t lose hope if you are living with chronic pain! Seeking help from a medical professional is essential to assess your symptoms and help you develop a treatment plan that works for you. With the proper treatment and support, managing chronic pain and improving your quality of life is possible.
Insomnia
If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, you likely have a sleep disorder known as insomnia. It can be a short-term issue that resolves quickly resolves itself, or it can be a long-term issue that persists for months or years.
Different types of insomnia include:
- Acute insomnia occurs briefly. You’ll likely experience acute insomnia if there’s a stressful life event or a change in your sleep schedule.
- Chronic insomnia lasts at least three nights a week for three months or more.
- Onset insomnia refers to difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
- Maintenance insomnia refers to difficulty staying asleep throughout the night.
Stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, medication side effects, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome can all cause insomnia. Insomnia can also result from an irregular sleep schedule or using electronic devices in your bedroom shortly before you go to sleep.
Living with insomnia can be challenging and significantly impact your daily life, work, and relationships. Insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and other negative physical and emotional symptoms.
You can seek treatment for your insomnia. The type of treatment you’ll receive depends on the underlying cause of the insomnia and how bad it is. Medication, therapy, relaxation techniques, and other sleep-promoting strategies can all help. I recommend establishing a regular sleep schedule and creating a sleep-conducive environment.
Now, I want you to know that insomnia is very common and affects many people at some point in their lives. If you have insomnia, it’s important to seek medical care. Once a doctor has assessed your symptoms, they can help you develop a treatment plan that works for you. With the right treatment and support, it’s possible to manage insomnia and improve your quality of life.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Let’s switch gears to ADHD. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children and adults. If you notice difficulty paying attention and have strong impulses throughout the day that interfere with your ability to go through your normal routine, you may have ADHD.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary but typically fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Inattention: You may need help focusing on tasks or activities and become easily distracted or forgetful. You may also need help organizing tasks or following through on instructions.
- Hyperactivity: You may have difficulty sitting still or staying quiet and feel restless or fidgety. You may also engage in impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting others or acting without considering the consequences.
- Impulsivity: You may have trouble controlling your impulses, leading to risky or inappropriate behaviors. You may also struggle with regulating your emotions and be prone to mood swings or outbursts.
Genetic and environmental factors cause ADHD. We believe that ADHD is related to differences in how certain parts of the brain function. We don’t understand the exact cause, but some of the research we’ve seen suggests that it may be related to imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Now, while there is no cure for ADHD, several treatment options can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you don’t treat your ADHD, it can significantly impact your academic, social, and occupational success. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can learn to manage symptoms and thrive personally and professionally.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects approximately 1 in 8 women after giving birth. Postpartum can be severe and can significantly affect your well-being and relationship with your child and family.
You might have PPD if you feel sad, anxious, and irritable at a level beyond the typical “baby blues.” Many mothers just like you experience this after giving birth. Symptoms may include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness.
- Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities.
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.
- Changes in appetite or weight.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Feelings of guilt or shame.
- Difficulty bonding with the baby.
- Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.
We don’t fully understand what causes PPD, but we believe it’s related to physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can cause PPD. So can a history of depression or anxiety, stressful life events, lack of social support, or sleep deprivation.
It is important to seek help if you are experiencing PPD symptoms. Treatment may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Support groups and counseling may also be helpful.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because the symptoms and severity can vary widely.
If you have ASD, the symptoms probably appeared in your early child, although symptoms can surface later. Some common signs and symptoms of ASD include:
- Having a difficult time with social interactions, eye contact, social cues, and making friends.
- Having a speech delay or unusual language development; examples include repeated words or phrases, speaking in a monotone voice, or using unusual language.
- Repetitive behaviors or interests, such as lining up toys, repeating routines, or becoming intensely interested in certain topics
- Sensory sensitivities, such as being extremely sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures
- Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
- Problems with motor skills, such as coordination or balance
We don’t understand the exact cause of ASD, but we believe it’s related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have suggested that abnormalities in brain development may contribute to the development of ASD.
Now, while there is no known cure for ASD, there are several treatments and therapies available that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Living with ASD can be challenging, but with the proper support and treatment, you can lead a fulfilling and productive life. I recommend seeking help and support as early as possible.
Try TMS Therapy With Brain Health Center
We understand what it feels like to want better treatment options. It’s why the Brain Health Center was started.
TMS therapy can help with every mental health disorder or condition described in this blog. TMS therapy is often used with other treatments, such as medication and therapy. In some cases, TMS therapy can help when other treatment options haven’t helped.
TMS therapy can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall functioning by stimulating specific areas of the brain to achieve balance.
If you’re interested in trying TMS therapy, consider Brain Health Center. We offer TMS therapy for depression, anxiety, insomnia, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, panic disorders, postpartum depression, autism spectrum disorder, and suicide ideation.
Contact Brain Health Center today to get started. Call us at 435.900.0123, email us at hello@brainhc.com, or fill out the form on our website.