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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) vs. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Depression and other persistent psychiatric disorders can be difficult to treat. They’re definitely hard to live with. After trying pharmacological interventions and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), consider a treatment that’s non-invasive and highly successful. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ECT are common treatments for hard-to-manage disorders. ECT and TMS can work together or separately. Call the experts at Neuro Injury Specialists in NYC and NJ. They have extensive experience with both solutions.

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    What’s the Difference Between TMS and ECT?

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a treatment that’s totally non-invasive. It relies on magnetic fields to target specific areas of your brain responsible for mood regulation.

    Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is much more intensive. It involves sending electrical currents through your brain to trigger a brief seizure. This process aims to reset brain activity and improve mood. ECT requires anesthesia while TMS sessions are comfortable and don't require any sedation or special preparations. While you need extra time to prepare and recover after the ECT procedure, TMS allows you to return to your daily routine immediately.

    If you’re in New York City or New Jersey and struggling with depression or other psychiatric or neurological conditions, you can receive a customized TMS treatment plan specifically for your condition, whether it’s depression, PTSD or migraines. The team at Neuro Injury Specialists can help you find relief through advanced types of TMS treatments. They have highly trained doctors who are experts in brain injury and pain management.

    How Do TMS and Electroconvulsive Therapy Work to Treat Psychiatric Disorders?

    You sit comfortably in a chair during a transcranial magnetic stimulation session, and your doctor places a magnetic coil on your scalp near the prefrontal cortex. The machine then sends magnetic pulses through your scalp to stimulate specific areas of your brain.

    TMS brings underactive parts of your brain into normal condition, and leads to improvement in your symptoms of depression and other disorders, such as:

    Electroconvulsive therapy, on the other hand, involves inducing controlled seizures to stimulate your brain activity while small electrical currents pass through your brain. You need constant medical supervision and monitoring during and after the procedure. ECT is recommended if other treatments haven’t worked.

    It’s highly effective and provides rapid relief especially if your mental health conditions are serious, such as:

    • Severe depression
    • Schizophrenia
    • Psychotic depression
    • Catatonia

    What Are the Side Effects of TMS vs. ECT?

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation is well-tolerated and doesn’t carry serious side effects. You might experience a gentle tapping or tingling sensation on your scalp where the magnetic coil is positioned. TMS’ major advantage is its mild side effects compared to other depression treatments, especially ECT.

    Common side effects of TMS include:

    • Mild headaches, but these generally subside quickly
    • Dizziness or light-headedness, which is usually short term and resolves on its own
    • No cognitive side effects

    Electroconvulsive therapy, on the other hand, has some concerning side effects. You may experience short-term memory loss, which can affect your ability to recall events that occurred right before or after the treatment. In some cases, long-term memory can also be affected.

    Other potential side effects of ECT include:

    • Feeling disoriented or confused for a short period
    • Nausea
    • Muscle soreness
    • Fatigue

    Can TMS or ECT Be Combined with Other Treatments?

    TMS or ECT with other treatments can often lead to better results. If you’re already on anti-depressants, for example, you don’t need to stop taking them when you start TMS. TMS with medication can boost the effectiveness of your treatment; it impacts the chemical balance in your brain, which improves your brain’s neural circuits. Like TMS, ECT is also used in combination with other treatments.

    ECT combines with:

    • Medications, such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers or anti-psychotics
    • Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy
    • Supportive therapies like nutritional counselling or sleep therapy

    Using TMS or ECT alongside other therapies helps you tackle your mental health condition from multiple angles. Both treatments make biological changes in your brain and combining it with medications and therapy helps you control the emotional and psychological parts of your disorder. Your doctor considers the severity of your symptoms and works with you to create a personalized plan that fits your needs.

    Both treatments are effective, particularly in cases of treatment-resistant depression. ECT is often used if you’re facing more severe or urgent cases of depression, and this offers you quicker relief compared to TMS. However, due to its more invasive nature and side effects, many people prefer to try TMS first.

    How Long Do TMS and ECT Treatment Sessions Last?

    Each TMS session typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. Session time may be reduced 10 minutes or so if your doctor uses newer machines that deliver high-frequency pulses. You may need to attend five sessions a week, and the total course of treatment can last anywhere from four to six weeks, though this varies based on your response. There's no recovery time required for TMS, and you can easily go back to work without any interruptions.

    Electroconvulsive therapy sessions are longer and can take about 60 to 90 minutes. The actual electrical stimulation only lasts a few seconds to a minute, but additional time is required for anesthesia, preparation and post-treatment monitoring. You may need a day to fully recover from each session. TMS may be the better option if you’re looking for a treatment that can easily fit into your busy schedule.

    Contact Neuro Injury Specialists. They offer different types of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments to help you recover faster, whether you’re considering TMS for mental health or other neurological issues such as: