Depression and anxiety are some of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions. Millions are affected globally. Daily stressors and difficult life experiences cause many to suffer from anxiety and depression. Anxiety is the body’s inherent reaction to stressful or fear inducing situations. TMS therapy for depression
When anxiety becomes so heightened that it becomes debilitating, it is considered an anxiety disorder. 40 Million adults suffer from anxiety or an anxiety disorder every single year.
Many people who are diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety (and vice versa). These mental health conditions can, and do, occur simultaneously. When the brain circuits that regulate the emotions connected with fear and apprehension, begin to fail, anxiety disorders start to manifest.
Treating anxiety can vary for many. Sometimes medication and talk therapy can prove successful. But when people experience cooccurring mental health conditions, it may not be enough.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an FDA approved treatment for chronic depression. The region of the brain that controls depression symptoms also control anxiety symptoms. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been recognized by clinicians as a promising treatment for individuals suffering from anxiety.
Many have begun incorporating TMS treatment as part of their anxiety management.
What Is Anxiety?
When anxiety is experienced consistently it can greatly hinder your daily life. Anxiety may manifest different depending on the person experiencing it. However, there are several common symptoms of general anxiety. They can include:
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty with concentration
- Increased heart rate
- Restlessness
What does anxiety do to the brain? The region of the brain that controls your response to a stimulus fails to function appropriately. This region also controls depression symptoms experienced by an individual. A small event may be experienced disproportionately.
The brain begins releasing “fear” chemicals through the body, causing the body to respond viscerally. Anxiety can be overwhelming and overpowering on your rational thought process.
Types Of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are not limited to one sensation or one environment. There may be specific “triggers” that induce an anxious reaction. Some common types of anxiety disorders are:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A disorder that is characterized by its chronic reoccurrence. Manifests persistent and excessive anxiety and worry that is disproportionate to the circumstances surrounding the feelings.
Specific Phobias: A disorder that produces major anxiety when exposed to a specific situation or object with a deep desire to avoid it.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): An anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic or frightening event. Events or individuals that remind the person of the initial trauma may “trigger” an anxious outburst or response.
Social Anxiety Disorder: A disorder that is characterized by excessive self-consciousness in normal every day social situations. It may be limited to public speaking or attending parties. But it may also encompass all types of social interaction.
What Is TMS?
If you are suffering from anxiety and looking for an effective treatment, TMS can help. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (or TMS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation. The nerve cells that are connected to anxiety and depression are stimulated, effecting and altering the brain’s neurotransmitter levels.
TMS therapy is an intensive approach which has shown to activate regions of the brain that have become dormant. The treatment requires several sessions over a period of time, with relief being provided after a few.
TMS is a a non-drug treatment that helps provide relief from severe depression and anxiety without the physical side effects associated with medications. This therapy is an outpatient procedure that allows patients to maintain their daily routines while receiving treatment for their anxiety.
Patients are not prevented from participating in their daily routines from their TMS treatment for anxiety. Patients can utilize TMS treatment for anxiety by itself or in conjunction with a medication regimen and talk therapy. Each person is different and the nature of their anxiety can vary.
TMS Therapy For Depression
TMS has proven to be an effective tool in psychiatry. Initially TMS was incorporated as a mental health tool for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Many who have utilized TMS as part of their depression treatment have experienced largely positive results.
But because so many people who experience depression also experience anxiety, TMS treatment for anxiety also provides a new hope for these individuals. This brain stimulation encourages the anxiety-inducing region of the brain back to health by activating the same neural networks.
The brain circuits that are activated when experiencing anxiety cause a “fight or flight” response in the corporal body. The different regions of the brain communicate and release these “fear hormones” and produce anxiety symptoms.
TMS concentrates its magnetic field treatment to specific regions of the brain. These targeted areas are responsible for these fear symptoms. TMS manipulates the neural activity that releases these anxiety hormones. TMS therapy for depression
The mental health professionals who conduct the therapy will determine the strength of the magnet and identify the most effective way to target this treatment to the brain’s specific nerve cells. Many patients experience a mild tapping on their scalp from the magnetic impulses, but the sensation is not a painful one.
By increasing the neural activity an individual can begin to experience relief from their crushing anxiety symptoms. TMS therapy for anxiety has proven successful for many. This stimulation-based therapy helps improve the brain’s functionality and ability to regulate emotions.
Is TMS Therapy For Anxiety Right For You?
If you are suffering from anxiety that interferes with your life it is important to consult with a mental health professional. They will provide you with an evaluation and provide you with recommendations on how to treat and manage your symptoms.
TMS therapy for anxiety can only be recommended by a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist will be able to thoroughly evaluate your mental health history and the effects of your anxiety symptoms on your life. If they determine you are an appropriate candidate for this treatment, they will be able to guide you in your individualized TMS treatment. TMS therapy for depression
TMS is an innovative solution that provides individuals with tangible relief from their symptoms. Patients experience the normalization of their neurochemistry and improvement in their anxiety. TMS is a non-pharmacological procedure that does not require any sedation and allows patients the freedom of being able to drive themselves home (before and after). The magnetic stimulation directly treats the “source” of your anxiety (i.e., your brain). Patients can utilize TMS as a singular treatment or combine it with their regular medication regimen and talk therapy. When traditional attempts at managing anxiety have not worked, you should consider incorporating TMS as part of your treatment.