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How TMS Can Rewire Your Brain
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 21 million American adults have experienced a depressive episode. In any given year, around 13 million Americans develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When front line treatments fail, what’s your next step?
At 2nd Chance Treatment Center, with practice locations in Phoenix and Litchfield Park, Arizona, our team of board-certified psychiatrists provides transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatments for patients with PTSD or severe depression.
TMS basics
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive procedure. It uses mild magnetic fields to target specific nerve clusters in the brain that regulate mood. Magnetic pulses trigger “transcranial” stimulation, meaning through the skull, and help to “rewire” your brain.
Your provider at 2nd Chance gently places the circular wire coil over the targeted area of your brain, then sends a small amount of electricity repeatedly through the coil. This creates a magnetic field, sending tiny, targeted magnetic pulses through your skull and into your brain. You’ll be relaxed and aware the entire time.
Rapid pulses are the most effective for treating depression. These pulses stimulate underactive parts of the brain and activate neurotransmitter release and modulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
This helps your brain rebalance and rewire itself to have normalized reactions to everyday events, instead of apathy caused by depression or panic caused by PTSD. TMS increases neuronal plasticity, too, helping your brain create new pathways instead of staying stuck in the rut of repetitive and damaging responses to stimuli.
What to expect during TMS treatment
During treatment, you’ll hear a faint clicking sound, and you’re likely to experience the sensation of a light tapping with each pulse sent through the coil. We make sure you’re comfortably reclined in a treatment chair during this process so you can relax.
In our experience, around a third of 2nd Chance patients report a slight discomfort near the treatment site during their session. Don’t worry: this usually stops happening after about a week of treatments, and the side effect isn’t strong enough to cause our patients to discontinue their treatment.
After your TMS treatment
You’ll be able to go right back to your day after your TMS session — there’s no effect on your cognitive or physical functionality. We carefully customize each patient’s treatment plan, but most find that having TMS therapy five days a week for a four-to-six week period yields the best results.
Studies show TMS to be a good option for people who haven’t experienced success with medication. Around 50-60% of people who receive TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression experience a significant decrease in their symptoms, and a third of these patients go into full remission from their symptoms. Results can last up to a year or more after the final session.
To learn more and discuss whether you’re a candidate for TMS therapy, call the 2nd Chance Treatment Center location near you, or make an appointment online.
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