Why Are So Many People Turning To TMS Treatment For Mental Health

By Your Health Magazine

Getting the right treatment for mental health issues can feel like an uphill struggle at times. You finally get someone to appreciate what you’re going through, but the road to recovery isn’t straightforward. Some doctors will try and throw pills at the problem, which isn’t always the best idea. Others will list different alternative options, which could be effective when you find the right one. What they don’t always talk about in TMS therapy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a solution offered by some top clinics and can prove effective in some cases. But what is TMS, and should you consider it as part of your treatment plan?

What Is TMS Therapy?

Before we can look at the potential of TMS treatment over other options, we need a better understanding of what it actually is. The name sounds a little scary at first with the word transcranial in there, but it doesn’t have to be with the right treatment provider. It involves stimulation of the brain to enact positive change. Trained professionals use magnetic coils to evoke a reaction in brain cells. The principle is that the neuroplasticity of the brain makes it highly adaptive. It’s open to new ideas, thought patterns, and behaviors. It’s how we can train ourselves out of negative traits and thought patterns and into healthier ones. By taking advantage of this neuroplasticity through stimulation, therapists have been able to ease symptoms of depression in many cases.

Is It Safe?

Yes. This is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t require any sedation and is carried out by trained professionals. One reason people get a little nervous around the idea of direct brain-based treatment like this is Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT). They are not the same thing. ECT is invasive and not advisable in all cases. Patients receive an electric current through the brain while under anesthesia to cause seizures. The idea is that these seizures will alter the brain and treat severe mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While those treatments are deemed safe in the right hands, they can be stressful.

TMS Therapy Vs. Other Alternative Treatments

There’s little doubt that TMS therapy in MA is the more appealing choice when compared to more invasive options like ECT. The question is whether it is an effective choice for mental health treatment compared to other options. Alternative therapies are popular when they’re easy to manage, cost-effective, and tailored to the needs of the individual. Patients can find a path that suits them with one or more of the following options.

CBT

CBT, otherwise known as talking therapy, is a way for patients with mental health disorders to get to the deeper psychological route of their problems. Trained therapists can guide them through various exercises to uncover problematic behavior patterns, triggers, and responses to past trauma. This sort of therapy only works when patients are ready to open up and express themselves over many sessions. TMS is an alternative for those who want a direct physiological option rather than a psychological one.

Yoga and Meditation

These two options go hand-in-hand because of the shared benefits of the practices. While both do have options, such as group therapy through classes and guided sessions, they are also highly beneficial on an individual level. Users can go deeper within themselves, in their own time, to work on their mental health. Small efforts in changing reactions to overthinking, dealing with negative stimuli, and breathing techniques can all help. The other wonderful thing about both options is they are so accessible and free to all who wish to try them. You might not get the same deep effect on brain neuroplasticity, but it could help you build on what you’ve learned.

Herbalism and Aromatherapy

Then there are the complementary options of herbalism and aromatherapy. Both of these alternative treatments have a lot of fans who swear by the health benefits of different botanicals and essential oils. As with yoga and meditation, they are also accessible and adaptable to different needs. Those dealing with anxiety and related sleep disorders can enjoy working with oils and herbs that promote a calm mind, relaxation, and better sleep. It might not allow for deeper psychological changes, but it can make daily life easier to manage while dealing with those bigger issues.

TBS Could Help You Get Closer To Improving Your Mental Health

TMS treatment could be more effective in offering direct changes to the way your brain operates and the impact on mental health disorders. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on alternative treatments you find helpful. The two can go together. You can still use regular TMS sessions to work on that neuroplasticity and create ongoing benefits while enjoying weekly yoga for better breath control or CBT to unload some of your feelings. Herbalism and aromatherapy are as much about self-care as mental health treatment, so they can stay with you long after you fulfill any aims with TMS treatment.

As long as you work with a qualified practitioner of TMS therapy, you have a great chance of seeing improvement. The best centers will work with professional equipment in clinical settings and provide the utmost care for their patients. They will guide you through the sessions and make sure you are comfortable before and after receiving your treatment. Nothing is guaranteed with these sessions, but there is great potential. When you marry these sessions with further mental health treatments and self-care, those changes could be significant.

Is TMS Treatment The Right Option For You?

TMS treatment isn’t going to be for everyone, and that’s fine. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care, and everyone responds differently. If the idea of the magnetic coils and altering brain plasticity still sounds too invasive, focus on the non-invasive plans and go at your own pace. However, if you think this could be the direct treatment you’ve been searching for, get in touch with a local practitioner. They can explain the process in more detail and book you in for your first session.