What Does TMS Treat

What Does TMS Treat?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is taking treatment for depression and other mental health disorders to the next exciting level.  TMS therapy is a relative newcomer to the mental health treatment scene, but is gaining global recognition as a potent tool in treating major depression in individuals who found no relief from symptoms with standard antidepressant therapy.  These treatment-resistant patients have renewed hope now that TMS is widely available and improving quality of life.  Even more promising is the increasing clinical evidence of many other uses for TMS therapy. To learn what does TMS treat, read on.

So What Exactly is TMS Therapy?

TMS therapy uses brain stimulation technology to ultimately rebalance brain chemistry and relieve the symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions.  When one hears TMS is a brain stimulation therapy, scary images of electric shock therapy may be conjured up.  Worry not—TMS is nothing like that.  TMS uses magnetic pulses that penetrate the scalp and wake up the sluggish brain cells that can cause the symptoms of depression, such as fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of worthlessness and despair, and persistent sadness.

TMS is a very safe, well-tolerated and noninvasive treatment provided over a 4-6 week period.  During the 45-minute treatments the patient is completely alert, with no need for any anesthesia.  Most patients just relax and listen to music, podcasts, or watch TV during the sessions.  After the treatment, the patient can immediately return to their normal daily activities.  Over the treatment period the patient will begin to notice improvements in their energy level, their cognitive skills, and their quality of sleep.  By the end of treatment patients notice an overall improvement in general mood.

What Does TMS Treat

In 2008 the FDA cleared TMS therapy for treating individuals with persistent depression who weren’t responsive to antidepressant drugs.  In Europe TMS has been approved for use for treating not only depression, but many other mental and physical health conditions.  These include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, autism, smoking cessation, multiple sclerosis, stroke rehabilitation, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  In the U.S. ongoing clinical trials are providing exciting results for various potential uses of TMS therapy.

So, what does TMS treat, you ask?  TMS is demonstrating excellent results in treating major depressive disorder in individuals who had virtually given up hope of ever feeling good again.  In addition, it has been found that patients with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or PTSD have also experienced improvements in the symptoms associated with them.  This ancillary response provides hope that TMS technology can be safely and effectively utilized for treating many individuals who struggle with these mental health disorders.

Is TMS Safe?

TMS therapy has been shown to be very well tolerated with few, if any, adverse effects.  This is important, as antidepressant therapy has many side effects associated with the various SSRI drugs.  In contrast, patients who have TMS therapy rarely report side effects.  The ones that do experience adverse effects report mild to moderate headaches and some tenderness on the scalp where the pulses are administered.

What Evidence is There That it Works?

A plethora of global and U.S. clinical trials and studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of TMS therapy for treating major depression.  Not only is TMS safe to the patient, but the results are statistically significant for the reduction of depression symptoms, as well as in obtaining remission status.

Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry is a leading TMS Provider in California

Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry has carved out a successful niche in the area of treating individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, as well as co-occurring anxiety and PTSD.  Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry features a highly skilled team of TMS doctors and technicians who together provide this highly effective therapy for individuals located in Southern California.  To learn more about what does TMS treat and if you might be a candidate for the therapy, please contact Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry today at (888) 503-1549.