7 Facts About OCD You Might Not Know
The term “OCD” is tossed around quite casually, but there’s more to this mental health condition than social media may lead you to believe. Read on as we share seven facts about OCD that you might not know.
What To Expect During a TMS Treatment
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that relies on magnetic energy to stimulate neurotransmitter activity in specific regions of your brain that regulate your mood. TMS treatments are used as an alternative treatment for depression, including treatment-resistant depression — and TMS is available at Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health in Newport Beach, California.
If you’re considering TMS as a depression treatment, you might wonder what each treatment session entails. Below, Dr. Hadi Estakhri explains the process of receiving a TMS treatment and what you can expect.
What happens at your TMS consultation?
Before you receive a TMS treatment, Dr. Estakhri provides a thorough consultation to ensure that TMS is right for you. The ideal TMS candidate should:
- Be in good physical health
- Be free from any implanted metal devices, including metal plates in your head as well as pacemakers
- Not have a history of seizures
TMS isn’t right for everyone, and should you fall into that group, Dr. Estakhri can suggest other therapies that are right for you. If TMS is right for you, here's what you should expect:
What to expect at your first TMS appointment
TMS is a non-invasive treatment, which means no needles, injections, or incisions are required. You won’t be sedated or need anesthesia. TMS treatments deliver magnetic energy, but to make sure that the magnetic energy reaches the specific areas in your brain, Dr. Estakhri first determines the correct placement of the magnetic coils. To do this, Dr. Estakhri:
- Records measurements and determinants of the correct distances and angles of the coil placement
- Stores the measurements in the TMS machine
Once your measurements are taken, the electromagnetic coils are placed near the front side of your scalp. This location is ideal because it allows the magnetic energy to access your prefrontal cortex. This is the area in your brain that mediates executive function — an area that is often understimulated in people with depression.
What to expect at your subsequent appointments
Because your measurement data is stored in the TMS machine, you won’t need to undergo measurements again. The TMS machine calibrates according to the information previously stored.
During your appointment, you’ll remain awake and seated comfortably in a chair. Each treatment takes anywhere from 20-50 minutes. During this time, an electric current passes through neurons (which are nerve cells) to send electrical impulses. This sets off a chain reaction, and the electrical impulses then trigger a chemical reaction, which boosts your mood.
The treatment isn’t painful, but you may feel a tapping sensation.
How many sessions should you expect?
Even though you may start to experience an improvement in your systems after one session, you’ll receive several TMS treatments to help you achieve remission. According to the experts at Cleveland Clinic, most individuals benefit from 30 sessions of TMS therapy — that’s about five sessions per week over a four to six-week period.
Is TMS therapy right for you?
Are you looking for an alternative treatment for depression? To find out if TMS therapy is right for you, give our Newport Beach, California a call at 949-258-7135. You may also book an appointment by visiting our website.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How to Recognize Signs of Schizophrenia in Your Child
It’s rare for children under age 13 to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, but it can happen. So, if you’re seeing unusual signs in your child, you might wonder if it’s schizophrenia or something else. Read on to learn more.
Do ADHD Symptoms Change as We Age?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often diagnosed in childhood and can persist into adulthood, but do the symptoms change? Read on to see how ADHD symptoms present themselves in each phase of life.
Handling a Panic Attack in Public
Panic attacks can come on suddenly, and if you’re in a public space, they can be that much more frustrating and scary. The good news is that there are several strategies you can implement at the moment to help handle a panic attack in public.
Do You Have Treatment-Resistant Depression? Ketamine May Help
Suspecting that you have treatment-resistant depression can leave you reeling, but you aren’t out of options. Ketamine therapy may help with treatment-resistant depression and give you the relief you need. Read on to learn more.
How Ketamine May Hold the Key to Relieving Your Chronic Pain
You might have heard about ketamine’s effect on treatment-resistant depression, but did you know ketamine can also help with chronic pain? If you’re struggling with chronic pain, read on to learn how ketamine may hold the key to your relief.