The Benefits of TMS, a Non Invasive Psychiatric Treatment for Depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive psychiatry treatment that uses a pulsed magnetic field to activate specific brain areas. In most cases, patients require 20-30 TMS treatment sessions, which comes to around five sessions each week for four to six weeks. A magnetic coil is placed against your head throughout the session, and you may feel a gentle tapping sensation. Intense magnetic fields focus on a specific brain region linked to controlling emotions.

The benefits of TMS for Major Depressive Disorder

There is no need for anesthesia for TMS treatments, and it may be effective even if other methods (such as medicine or therapy) have failed to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. In addition, TMS treatments do not have the same adverse effects as drugs, do not impair alertness, are effective, and may even decrease pharmaceutical usage.

Less risk of side effects

Antidepressants include medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Antidepressants are not a panacea, although they can help some individuals who have not found anything else that works. However, for some people, drug side effects might be an annoyance. Adverse reactions to antidepressants are common and can include sickness, decreased libido, headaches, sleeplessness, dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Those who have tried medicine but have been dissatisfied with its side effects may find TMS treatment more to their liking. Some may feel nothing at all, while others may feel a tingling or light headache. These reactions are temporary and often disappear soon after TMS treatment ends. This benefit highlight TMS as a non-invasive psychiatry treatment.

TMS does not impair driving ability

TMS treatment is beneficial since it does not interfere with your ability to operate a motor vehicle. Common depression treatment alternatives like ketamine necessitate having a loved one or friend drive the patient home after the infusion. In addition, some medications cause side effects like drowsiness and fatigue that might impair driving safety.

The treatment is effective.

TMS is effective for the treatment of MDD. A study published in Cureus found that TMS treatments were beneficial even for those who had previous unsuccessful treatment for depression. Up to 60 percent of individuals who have tried standard therapies like antidepressant medication without success experience an improvement in their symptoms after receiving TMS therapy. TMS is efficient because it stimulates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region usually underactive in people with depression.

It can remove medication use.

Antidepressants may no longer be necessary when TMS therapy combines psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. However, it would be perfectly appropriate to continue seeking psychotherapy in addition to TMS treatments, even though traditionally, TMS may be advised only if more conventional techniques of treating depression are failed. TMS reduces depression symptoms, and therapy can aid in maintaining relationships, combating feelings of isolation, and encouraging the development of coping mechanisms.

Conclusion

TMS does not have to be a therapy of last resort. Patients can discuss TMS with their therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor to see whether it suits them. TMS is a great non-invasive psychiatry option because of its many benefits compared to other brain stimulation methods. Call us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.

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