TMS Treatment After Depression Recurrence

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic energy to modify brain activity and improve mental wellness. The treatment takes place in an outpatient setting, enabling individuals to resume their daily routine

This brain stimulation therapy works as a standalone intervention or as part of a larger treatment plan for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. Doctors recommend it to patients who are suffering from treatment-resistant forms of these disorders. This article goes over the benefits of TMS therapy in treating recurrent depression.

How TMS therapy works

TMS uses magnets to increase or inhibit neural activity in specific parts of the brain. The principle behind the treatment hinges on the laws of physics that govern the interaction between magnetic and electrical fields.

A magnetic pulse will trigger or dampen electrical activity in target regions of the brain. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the region that regulates mood, emotional response, and motor function. A psychiatrist can improve symptoms of depression by applying high-frequency magnetic pulses to this part of the brain.

The high-frequency magnetic pulses induce electrical currents in the brain. These bursts of electricity trigger target nerve cells, effectively increasing neural activity in the PFC. This increase in neural activity can alleviate the symptoms of depression. It also triggers the production of beneficial neurotransmitters in other regions of the brain. The increased production of helpful brain chemicals stabilizes the patient's mood and helps combat symptoms of depression.

What to expect from TMS treatment after depression recurrence

Major depressive disorder is a chronic condition that has a maintenance phase. This is true whether a person experiences a recurrence or not. For this reason, mental health professionals will often perform TMS re-treatment in case of relapse. Here is what to expect from TMS re-treatment.

1. Exam and evaluation

The doctor will oversee the medical brain imaging to identify the exact location to focus the TMS treatment. They may perform this imaging by using a functional MRI to chart and record brain activity as the patient reacts to stimuli. The exam and evaluation take place during the preparation for a round of TMS treatments.

2. Determining the frequency and strength of magnetic energy

The data that the psychiatrist collects from the patient evaluation serves as a guide for them. They will note the excitability threshold of the target area of the brain. In the case of TMS therapy, the "threshold" describes the amount of energy that it takes to induce neural activity.

The psychiatrist will use the information to select the ideal frequency and magnitude of magnetic pulses for an individual patient. This stage of treatment planning happens before the start of the TMS regimen.

3. TMS treatment

The actual TMS sessions are brief, non-invasive, and painless, with few side effects to speak of. Each session takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on factors like the severity of the patient’s symptoms. This is what to expect:

The psychiatrist or TMS technician will position a magnetic coil on the patient’s scalp
They will ask the patient to wear a set of earplugs to shut out the noise from the coil
The psychiatrist will set the frequency and intensity of the magnetic energy that comes out of the coil
They will start the machine and monitor the patient as the coil directs magnetic pulses toward the brain

Patients can drive themselves home after a TMS therapy session. They should start to see results after several sessions. TMS treatment after relapse typically requires five sessions a week for several weeks.

The results last long after the treatment, and psychiatrists may recommend monthly sessions to moderate the treatment regimen.

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Long-term mental health is a marathon that we can help you win

Our psychiatrist has many success stories of treating patients with recurrent depression. They can use their knowledge to craft a personalized course of treatment to restore your mental health in the long term. Get in touch with our practice to book a consultation and find out if TMS is in the cards for you.

Request an appointment or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at 917-391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.