Some patients with depression may need TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) to achieve a better quality of life. Conventional treatments have always been effective. Yet, some patients need an alternative way to achieve brain stimulation. TMS is an effective way for psychiatrists to treat patients without medication or surgery. If you want to know what you should expect from this type of depression treatment, here are the details.
A TMS treatment for depression is an outpatient procedure. The patient can leave the psychiatrist’s office as soon as a session finishes. Since it is not an invasive approach, the patient does not go into surgery, take medications, or receive sedatives. The patient can go back to normal daily activities following each session. TMS consists of a series of treatments that should last for four to six weeks. In some cases, some patients may not need more treatment or take any medication once the sessions are complete.
The psychiatrist will always make sure that the TMS treatment is tolerable for the patient. Psychiatrists have full control of the devices. Each one’s intensity can increase or decrease, depending on the patient’s tolerance. There is a vibrating or tapping sensation, with a clicking sound. The psychiatrist can give the patient earplugs to make sure the noise is not too loud.
Since TMS triggers the areas of the brain responsible for hand and foot movement, the patient may experience some twitching during the session. This is normal. The patient does not need to worry about it at all. This method can treat depression symptoms without lingering side effects.
The patient’s first TMS session can take about 60 minutes. The tech will measure the patient’s head first to find out where to place the coils. Then, the tech will assess the patient’s motor threshold. This is the lowest level of intensity that the TMS device will emit to stimulate movements in the patient’s hands. This threshold is also the level at which the patient will receive the treatment.
TMS sessions usually take around 20-40 minutes a day, five days weekly, for four to six weeks. Each session involves allowing the patient to do anything that generates positive thoughts. As the patient gets busy, the psychiatrist performs the TMS treatment. Usually, patients who finish the first course have complete remission.
TMS sessions have only a few side effects, the most common of which is a slight headache after each treatment. The headaches usually fade after the first week. That is why psychiatrists find this alternative treatment ideal. The patient may just rest to let the pain go away.
Unlike conventional psychiatric treatments, TMS does not involve taking medications or going through surgery. This non-invasive approach does not have side effects either. That is why psychiatrists see TMS as a good alternative to conventional depression treatments. Talking to your psychiatrist allows you to have a tailor-fit session each time. This will help you gain more from your TMS treatment.
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