What Is The Difference Between Bipolar 1 & 2?
May 31, 2024
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate targeted areas of the brain. This stimulation helps improve communication between neurons and can be particularly effective for patients who have not responded to multiple antidepressants or psychiatric medications. TMS is well-tolerated, with minimal side effects, making it a promising alternative for those seeking relief from various mental health conditions.
Conditions that can benefit from TMS therapy include:
If you are experiencing intolerable side effects from psychiatric medications or have not found success with multiple medications and treatments, TMS may be a viable solution for you. Explore our advanced TMS treatment options below to learn how TMS can help you achieve lasting relief.
We now offer Deep TMS, which is FDA-approved for smoking cessation. Learn more here.
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Currently, there are several FDA-approved TMS systems for treating depression and other psychiatric disorders. At our clinic, we use the Brainsway Deep TMS system, which has been FDA-approved since 2013 for the treatment of depression. The Brainsway system utilizes a unique H1 coil, developed at the National Institute of Health (NIH), to provide deeper and broader brain stimulation compared to other TMS devices.
In 2018, the FDA also approved the H7 coil for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Brainsway’s Deep TMS system. Both the H1 and H7 coils are integrated into a helmet designed for comfort and precise targeting. These deep coils offer broader and more effective stimulation of targeted areas, making them a powerful tool in treating depression, OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and even smoking cessation.
By stimulating key areas such as the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (LDLPFC), Brainsway Deep TMS helps improve brain function and mood in patients with treatment-resistant depression, as well as addressing other conditions like OCD and anxiety.
The patented coil design in Brainsway dTMS for H1 and H7 helmets penetrates more deeply and has a broader impact compared to other TMS devices. As a result, it effectively stimulates the targeted brain areas while reducing the chance of missing the treatment location, an issue that is common with other devices.
TMS is very safe and has minimal side effects. You are safe to resume work or other daily activities after the session is over. You may get a headache for the first week of treatment as your head gets used to the stimulation. There is a risk of seizure, but the chance is less than 1% and can often be avoided by following our treatment guidelines. TMS is NOT like ECT and requires no anesthesia.
TMS is done every day (5 days) for the first few weeks, and your appointment time will range from 15-45 minutes depending on which protocol you are prescribed. Theta-burst for depression and anxiety are quick and take less than 5 minutes. Deep TMS and regular rTMS may take 20-30 minutes. After several weeks of daily treatment, you will taper the number of treatments per week for the next few weeks thereafter. The treatment course may take about 10+ weeks total, except for ADD & ADHD TMS, which will only take 3 weeks. Accelerated TMS is the only protocol that can be completed in one week.
TMS is usually done every day, from Monday to Friday, to increase the effectiveness of treatment. TMS is like exercise for your brain, and we are trying to build that muscle or connection. Your brain is not being stimulated enough or is overactive, and we need to use TMS therapy to help the neurons (brain cells) fire off more or fire less (such as in OCD). If you miss treatment and come less often during the week, your progress will be reduced, and you run the risk of not responding to TMS therapy. It is important to commit to 5 days a week to increase the chance of responding and reaching remission.
With a special interest in treatment-resistant disorders, Dr. Sandhya Prashad works closely with each patient, taking the time to understand their overall health and well-being so she can develop a truly customized treatment plan.
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