TMS is a non-invasive treatment used to stimulate the brain’s nerves using a magnetic pulse. This treatment is quite popular in reducing depression which has become the leading cause of death among youngsters. Today more than 10,000 people lose their lives due to depression. Thus, doctors highly recommend TMS therapies to help people come out of stubborn depression.
Besides this, you can also get several benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation like a healthy lifestyle, back to the daily routine, happy life, and reduced thoughts of suicide. However, there are a lot of people who don’t have information about TMS and how it works on depression. That is why; here is a guide for you. Indeed, it will clear all your doubts about TMS.
What is TMS?
Earlier doctors usually consider medications and therapies to treat depression. But unfortunately, not more than 20% of people were getting results. Due to this, the treatment of depression was shifted towards TMS therapy. The specialist puts the magnetic coil on the patient’s scalp in this treatment.
An earplug is provided to eliminate the sound of the magnetic coil. The coil then delivers a magnetic pulse to stimulate the nerves in specific brain parts. To treat the depression from within, the treatment is carried out daily for around 4 to 5 weeks.
TMS treatment for depression
During the TMS treatment for depression, the physician mainly focuses on the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This is the only part responsible for several cognitive processes like memory, mood swings, conflict management, etc.
However, people suffering from depression have deregulated prefrontal cortex. Due to this, it becomes quite challenging for a person to control their emotions, make decisions, and think clearly. Thus, the specialist will stimulate this part of the brain through a magnetic pulse which will reduce the symptoms of depression.
It is believed that around 70% of people have got effective results from just one session and continued the whole treatment. Also, the effect of antidepressants on the body is removed with TMS if it doesn’t suit the patients. However, there are several people who cannot take TMS treatments because of implants in their heads, such as-
- Facial tattoos with magnetic ink
- Metallic eye
- Bullets
- Clips and coils
- Brain stimulator
- Electrodes
- Stents
If you have implanted any such things in your head, it is not safe to follow TMS treatment as it is conducted using magnetic coils and can cause severe side effects. But otherwise, people suffering from stubborn depression are treated through TMS and get effective results in a few sessions.
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