Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health conditions in the United States today. Unfortunately, there is no one tried-and-true treatment for either condition. For many people, medication and traditional therapy options are not enough to effectively manage their condition. This deficiency can lead them to feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Fortunately, research has shown that a viable treatment option for many individuals is TMS therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. This treatment option is an excellent alternative for people whose depression has not responded to medication or traditional talk therapy. To learn more about the benefits of TMS therapy, please reach out to South Tampa Psychiatry today at 866.273.5017.
What is TMS Therapy?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. During this therapy, a trained professional will direct recurring magnetic pulses of energy at the areas of the brain that control a person’s mood. Each time, the magnetic pulses will pass painlessly through the patient’s skull and stimulate the brain cells. This treatment improves your brain cells’ ability to communicate with other areas of the brain. When a professional delivers the TMS pulses at regular intervals, the patient is receiving repetitive TMS.
Experts are unsure how TMS works. However, repetitive TMS therapy sessions have a lasting effect on your brain’s ability to function, which eases the patient’s depression symptoms. Furthermore, the treatment is not dangerous. The pulses that our staff members use during TMS therapy are similar in type and strength to the pulses that an MRI machine would use. Moreover, unlike ECT therapy and other treatment methods, TMS therapy requires no sedation. In fact, there is little or no recovery time necessary after therapy, so you can come to your treatment and leave under your own power. In addition, unlike other treatment methods, TMS therapy doesn’t have memory or cognitive side effects.
What Happens During TMS Therapy?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy sessions are relatively short and don’t require sedation or anesthesia. In other words, you’ll stay alert and awake throughout your treatment sessions. Furthermore, unlike depression medication and other treatment methods, it does not affect any area other than your brain.
In most cases, we’ll provide TMS therapy about five times a week for between four and six weeks. However, you may occasionally return for maintenance treatments after the initial weeks of therapy. Most of the time, TMS therapy sessions will last between 20 and 40 minutes. However, some treatment sessions will be longer or shorter, depending on your needs.
When you come to South Tampa Psychiatry for TMS therapy, one of our team members will direct you to a comfortable chair. They will provide you with earplugs and situate a magnetic coil on your skull near the area of your brain that regulates your mood. Once we’ve positioned the coil correctly, our staff will administer short electromagnetic pulses. These pulses will pass through your head and stimulate the nerve cells by creating small electrical currents. During this time, you may hear clicking sounds or feel a tapping sensation near the area where the coil is resting. In addition, you might feel some discomfort on your head during treatment.
Once we’ve finished administering the treatment, we’ll signal that it’s safe to take off your earplugs. Then, you’ll be able to go home or drive back to work. It takes several treatments for TMS therapy to work in most cases, but some people report relief after the first treatment.
Does TMS Therapy Work Alone?
As with most other treatments, it’s essential to combine TMS therapy with other evidence-based therapies to provide long-lasting results. South Tampa Psychiatry often offers this therapy alongside a range of different treatment options, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
Additionally, we offer this treatment at our Tampa treatment center, which means that whether you’re in Largo or Clearwater, we can help you overcome your condition.
Contact South Tampa Psychiatry
At South Tampa Psychiatry, our goal is to give you the support and assistance that you need to overcome your mental health condition. TMS therapy is one method that we utilize to attain this goal. We offer a range of treatment options, including:
To learn more about transcranial magnetic stimulation, reach out to South Tampa Psychiatry today at 866.273.5017, or contact us online today.
