TMS therapy for Depression treatment without medication
Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in July 2022 that over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years had experienced mental disorder at some time in their life, and depression is known as the most common factor to hinder mental health wellbeing. For those that have trialled and tried medications and failed to yield results, TMS is an alternative treatment to consider for depression treatment without medication.
What is TMS?
Using a focused magnetic field, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) stimulates parts of the brain that regulate mood and are known to be underactive in depressed individuals. Adult patients with Major Depressive Disorder who have not experienced acceptable recovery from prior antidepressant medication in the newest episode are appropriate for TMS Therapy.
Safe & Efficient
Since its FDA clearance in 2008, more than 2 million treatments have been carried out on more than 65,000 individuals.
Drug-Free
TMS can be used safely with or without antidepressants.
Impact-Free
TMS is an invasive-free procedure. You are awake and attentive during the treatments, and you can resume your regular activities right away.
No Medication Side Effects
You don’t experience the negative effects that come with taking drugs. The most frequent adverse reaction is pain at the treatment area, which often goes away after a week.
How does it work?
Since 1985, TMS has been recognized as a potent substitute for several antidepressants. It is increasingly used to treat a variety of illnesses, including PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), some psychotic symptoms (auditory hallucinations), and depression. Additionally, studies suggest that better dorsal prefrontal brain stimulation targeting can lessen the effects of depression. The “executive functions” of this part of the brain include choosing acceptable memories and preventing improper reactions. The stimulation zones must be specifically modified for other psychiatric illnesses, such OCD.
Can TMS help with other conditions?
With the expectation that it will develop into new treatments for neurological illnesses, pain management, and physical rehabilitation in addition to psychiatry, TMS is being actively studied across conditions and even disciplines. The usefulness of TMS in treating illnesses such pediatric depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, quitting smoking, and post-traumatic stress disorder is now being studied in extensive clinical trials. TMS for these illnesses is not yet authorized and would be regarded as “off-label,” despite being intriguing research directions.
What is TMS therapy like?
TMS therapy is a rigorous approach for treatment that necessitates sessions five days a week for a number of weeks. Depending on the gadget and clinical procedure being used, each session could take somewhere between 20 to 50 minutes. Patients may quickly check in with a specialist or doctor when they arrive before starting the stimulation procedure. Using the motor cortex, a “landmark” in the brain, the technician will ascertain the ideal stimulus intensity and anatomical target. The team may decide where in relation to that person’s brain the stimulation coil should be placed and how vigorously it needs to “fire” in order to generate optimal stimulation by first targeting this area of the brain. The dorsal neocortex, the brain target with the strongest clinical evidence and an area known to be involved in depression, is then located using calculations to translate this data. Though the amount of brain excitability may improve after just one session, alleviation is typically not seen until the third, fourth, fifth, or even sixth week of therapy.
