Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among veterans. TMS therapy for PTSD entails the application of magnetic stimulation to regions of the brain that release stress hormones.
Trauma can lead to physical alterations to the structure and function of the brain. Hormone levels that activate fight-or-flight reactions may become aberrant due to these alterations. TMS uses magnetic brain stimulation to restore the balance of these chemicals and fight PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition brought on by and triggered by a terrible incident. These traumatic events are usually associated with a danger to one's life, death, severe injury, natural disasters, or sexual abuse. Even in a safe environment with no apparent threat, people with PTSD experience increased dread and anxiety, provoking fight-or-flight reactions.
Whether adult or child, anyone who has experienced terrible circumstances may develop PTSD. Pain and terror trigger a natural brain process that may alter perceptions and reactions. PTSD is commonly called "shell shock" or "battle weariness" by veterans of war. Veterans are more susceptible to developing PTSD than any other demographic in the United States because of war realities.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is promising for patients looking for a non-drug treatment option for PTSD. According to new research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, when TMS therapy is used for war veterans with PTSD, they find relief, with 70% of the individuals no longer experiencing major PTSD symptoms following TMS therapy sessions. TMS therapy is a non-invasive treatment that has been used to treat mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It may also be used to augment the result of using medications.
TMS works by employing electromagnetic radiation to target the left prefrontal cortex, responsible for mood regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. The magnetic pulses penetrate the brain and induce electric current via a coil placed on the scalp. The current activates the inactive neurotransmitters, restoring brain chemistry balance, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, influencing mood. Over four to six weeks, patient data revealed significant improvement in depressive symptoms.
Brain function may be reset or regularized by stimulating nerve cells in the brain with high magnetic fields. In clinical trials, TMS therapy has been demonstrated to be quite effective in treating depression and PTSD in those who suffer from anxiety disorders. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized TMS for the treatment of depression. To undergo TMS therapy, patients must be at least 18 years old.
Check out what others are saying about our TMS services on Yelp: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Albany, NY
TMS therapy has shown to be a beneficial option for people who have had PTSD and have attempted several types of treatment without successful outcomes. With several studies demonstrating that TMS may be quite helpful in reducing symptoms, it is attractive to individuals looking to restore normalcy to their lives.
Request an appointment or call Evolve Psychiatry at 518-675-3097 for an appointment in our Albany office.
Professional depression treatment can be life-saving for many patients with depression symptoms. Unfortunately, first-line mental health treatments do not always provide the relief a client needs. A psychiatrist may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation, or “TMS,” in these cases. As a noninvasive brain stimulation procedure, TMS uses a magnetic coil to influence brain electricity and treat…
Treating depression with TMS therapy has been a successful alternative for many patients. If you are struggling with this mental illness, you should consider this treatment. Formally called transcranial magnetic stimulation, this method is drug-free and is not invasive. Depression can affect your everyday quality of life, but you can find relief. Now might be…
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive and tolerable treatment for depression. It can also treat other disorders like anxiety. Many people suffer from these conditions. But some of them do not respond to conventional treatments. That is why psychiatrists recommend TMS to the right candidates. If you want to find out who is eligible…