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TMS for Psychiatric Disorders

When pharmacological interventions and talk therapy don’t provide sufficient relief from psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may provide the relief you’ve been seeking. TMS experts at Neuro Injury Specialists in NYC and NJ offer a full range of TMS for psychiatric disorders, migraine headaches, chronic pain, nerve pain and a host of other conditions. The treatment is non-invasive and requires no downtime. To learn if safe TMS treatments are right for you, call Neuro Injury Specialists for a consultation.

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    What Is TMS and How Does it Work for My Psychiatric Disorders?

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that helps manage physical and mental health conditions, including psychiatric disorders. TMS works by directing magnetic fields to targeted areas of your brain. These magnetic pulses are painless and penetrate your skull to influence brain activity.

    When you have a psychiatric disorder, certain parts of your brain may be underactive or overactive, which leads to the symptoms you experience. TMS normalizes the activity in these regions and helps your brain function better.

    Neuro Injury Specialists, located in New York City and New Jersey, provide personalized TMS therapy to help you manage your condition.

    Their certified brain injury experts offer various types of TMS treatments, including deep TMS and rTMS, to meet your specific mental health needs, such as for:

    Am I a Good Candidate for TMS?

    If you’re diagnosed with major depressive disorder and haven’t had success with therapy, TMS might be exactly what you need. TMS is recommended if you have already tried two or more medications without the desired results. If anti-depressants, anti-anxiety or psychiatric drugs have caused you side effects like weight gain, fatigue or sexual dysfunction, TMS may offer you a better alternative. TMS isn’t just for depression or anxiety.

    You may be a good candidate, for example, if you have:

    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder. TMS targets specific areas of your brain like the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex to calm overactive brain activity, which reduces your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TMS for PTSD controls your memory and emotions, which help you overcome symptoms like flashbacks and anxiety more effectively.
    • Bipolar disorder. If you experience extreme mood swings, TMS helps you stabilize your mood during these episodes.
    • Substance use disorders. If you’re addicted to alcohol or drugs, which affects your motivation systems and leads to cravings and compulsive behaviors, TMS helps you reduce cravings and improve impulse control.

    TMS is safe for most people, but if you have certain health conditions, it might not be the best option. If you have a history of seizures, metal implants in your head or specific types of nerve damage, your Neuro Injury Specialists doctor carefully reviews your medical history to make sure TMS is the right choice for you.

    What Are the Possible Side Effects of TMS for Psychiatric Treatment?

    Fortunately, common side effects are generally mild and tend to subside as your body adjusts to the treatment.

    TMS therapy is safe but like any medical procedure, you may experience some minor side effects that may include:

    • Mild to moderate headaches
    • Discomfort or tingling in your scalp
    • Feeling light-headed during or immediately after your treatment
    • Temporary muscle twitches

    Before starting TMS for psychiatric disorders, your NYC doctor conducts a comprehensive evaluation to make sure you’re a good candidate. They adjust the intensity, duration and frequency of your TMS sessions to suit your condition. You must inform your doctor if you experience any mild side effects. They can modify your treatment to minimize these issues.

    How Does TMS for Psychiatric Disorders Compare to Traditional Treatments?

    There’s no anesthesia, hospitalization or recovery time with TMS, unlike electroconvulsive therapy. It’s ideal for treating depression and other psychiatric conditions that don’t respond to traditional treatments. You don’t necessarily have to give up your current treatment plan to try TMS. This treatment can be combined with your ongoing therapy or medications, which makes it more effective.

    TMS comes with several advantages such as:

    • It avoids affecting your entire body like medications often do.
    • It provides long lasting improvements.
    • It offers personalized treatment.
    • It contains minimal or zero side effects.

    It’s normal if you don’t notice any major changes right away. You may begin to see subtle shifts in your mood or energy after a few weeks. You may need five sessions per week over the course of four to six weeks. Each session sends magnetic pulses to stimulate the targeted brain regions, which gradually restores normal activity. Each session typically lasts about 30 minutes. If you go with advanced TMS options like Theta Burst Stimulation or Accelerated TMS, your session may only last for three to 10 minutes.

    The team of TMS experts at Neuro Injury Specialists are highly trained and have experience with the TMS procedure. They specialize in advanced pain management strategies designed to help you live more comfortably. Whether you’re struggling with insomnia, ADHD or neurological conditions, consider TMS as a part of your treatment plan. Contact Neuro Injury Specialists in New York City.