TMS Therapy: What Is It & How Does It Work?

Depression is a worldwide and frequently-occurring phenomenon in modern life. It’s a serious illness that can affect anyone at any point in their lives, and therefore cannot be ignored or taken lightly. For a person afflicted with depression, life can become monotonous and colorless, at times so dark and unbearable that they may decide to end their lives.

Like any other illness, depression can be treated, and the sooner it begins, the better the results, most likely. What Is TMS Therapy & How Does It Work? TMS therapy in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills is among the practical options available for treating depression, and here, we’ll review some of the items you should be aware of before embarking on TMS therapy.

Depression Is Real

Depression has become one of the most prevalent mental disorders globally. Currently, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer fromdepression and its accompanying complications. If you or any one of your loved ones is depressed, visit a professional therapist as soon as possible.

Antidepressants are a gigantic international industry, and many therapists prescribe them for depressed individuals. Understandably, these drugs have specific side effects and must not be taken without a prescription. But what has to be understood is that medication is designed and prescribed for people who need critical help, and without it, many may harm themselves or others.

There are times when a patient doesn’t respond positively to treatment, and their illness doesn’t show signs of abating. In these instances, the therapist may recommend TMS treatment as an alternative form of therapy. Additionally, for patients unable to take medication due to specific medical issues, TMS is a viable option to battle depression.

TMS Therapy Procedure

There are a number of steps patients need to take before undergoing TMS treatment. First, they should remove all metal objects since these objects can interfere with the magnetic pulse. Next, the patient is seated, and the technician makes sure that the coil is correctly positioned on their head.

Once the patient is generally prepared, a physician will check their motor threshold (degree of stimulation needed for the patient to move a finger). This test is performed for the physician to better grasp the necessary frequency to treat the patient for optimal results. Depending on the test outcome, the settings on the machine are then modified.

The patient is then provided with a set of earplugs to put on throughout the session to prevent the sound of the machine from disturbing them during their treatment. Then, the procedure will commence. During the procedure, the coil is lowered onto the patient’s brain and transmits the pulses from the generator to the skull. As the pulse reaches the skull, it penetrates and impacts brain cells targeted by the treatment.

What to Expect

TMS is a safe and highly effective treatment that usually doesn’t involve any adverse side effects. Due to its non-invasive nature, it can be performed in both hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, it doesn’t require anesthesia or other forms of pain relief, and the patient just goes home immediately after the procedure and spends no time in recovery.

When deciding to undergo TMS therapy, you should be aware the procedure takes several sessions to yield optimal results. Moreover, it’s a treatment chosen as part of your recovery path and doesn’t mean you no longer require other therapy or medication. Therefore, you need to take your medication regularly and attend therapy sessions consistent with the plan set out by your doctor.

Anyone with severe depression who’s unresponsive to medication can undergo TMS. But there are some exceptions. Folks with metal or magnets fixed or lodged in their bodies should avoid this therapy since the metal can interfere with the treatment.

Seek Professional Help

Depression is a pervasive disorder that haunts millions of folks, and for those who suffer from it, immediate and effective treatment is vital. TMS treatment is a form of non-invasive therapy that proceeds to treat patients who have failed to respond to medication. The FDA also approves TMS therapy; hence, its costs are covered by most medical health insurance providers.

Deciding to undergo this treatment is a critical decision, and you must have all the information needed before making your choice. You should know what TMS therapy is and how it works. To do so, please contact us at Los Angeles Therapy Institute, where our experts will be more than glad to answer all your questions and provide you with all the data you require to make the right choice on your treatment path.