A safe, effective, non-invasive and revolutionary treatment approach to treat depression, approved by the US FDA.
The TMS treatment is really simple. The nerve cells that are responsible for mood are activated using electromagnetic stimulation to cure depression.
Yes. It is equally helpful for those with treatment-resistant depression and looking for a newer approach to beat depression.
A constant feeling of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness or guilt are a few signs of depression. It also includes a drastic decrease in energy, change in sleeping and/or eating habits, lack of interest in routine activities, irritability and thoughts of suicide.
No. This revolutionary technology is used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders. In many countries, TMS is being used to treat anxiety, OCD, ADHD, schizophrenia, PTSD, tinnitus, multiple sclerosis, ALS, motor disability after a stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
TMS seems to be equally effective across the board. It also depends on a few factors like age, gender, length of depression, the intensity of depression, and response to antidepressants.
A very few numbers of people have reported a slight headache or temporary discomfort at the treatment site only during the initial stages of treatment.
No. There has not been any memory loss reported to date with TMS. Memory loss typically occurs with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) while TMS is non-invasive and doesn’t require the usage of sedatives.
Treatment lasts for 18 minutes, 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks for rTMS and 8 minutes for Theta Burst Stimulation.
The person will be made to sit in a comfortable chair. And the TMS machine will be put in place and then the magnetic impulses are delivered. The procedure is relatively painless, without noticeable effects, and the person can himself drive back home.
TMS treatment has a long-lasting effect. A few patients might need maintenance treatment of 3-4 months after the initial treatment regimen, and a few would need around 6 months and a few of them wouldn’t need follow-up treatment at all.
The results of TMS last well beyond the actual treatment, which is localized. Antidepressants are ingested and might affect the entire body. The side effects of antidepressants include weight gain, a decrease in libido, dizziness, nausea, and constipation which are not there with TMS. Also, TMS can be effective when depression has previously been resistant to medication.
Though both TMS and ECT are helpful, ECT is invasive. ECT requires anesthesia, the placement of electrodes, and a strong electrical current. Also, there are instances where even the memory loss has been reported. TMS is an in-office procedure that uses magnetic impulses and does not cause loss of memory.
Using ‘Therapeutic Magnets’ was popular a few years ago for pain relief and other health issues. The magnets are supposed to alter energy fields around the body. However, they are typical magnets integrated into bracelets, rings, shoes and even mattresses without enough strength to reach beneath the skin.
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Yes, it is safe for those who are on antidepressant medication. In fact, during the TMS treatment, the continuation of an established antidepressant regimen is encouraged. After TMS treatment and depression has been abated, antidepressants are often reduced or even eliminated.
There are few cases to whom TMS treatment is not recommended. Especially those who have metal that cannot be removed from the head or surrounding areas. The metal can limit the effectiveness of the magnetic pulses and even result in injury. But there are exceptions to this like dental fillings, crowns, and/or braces.
Most of the insurance companies in the US and in the UK provide insurance coverage for TMS Treatment. Recently, the Government of India has directed the medical insurance companies to cover the treatment of mental illness under health insurance. This step has been taken considering the surge in the number of people who are suffering from depression. And it will be available soon.