Need help? Know someone who does?
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network, where callers receive crisis counselling and mental health referrals.
From Author Phyllis Quatman: Because I have personally experienced so much trauma, I am hoping to get approved for this treatment. If I succeed, I will document the whole adventure on this website with video and commentary. You will be able to follow my progress so that you can decide if this amazing treatment is the right fit for you or your loved ones. Once again, you can view Rabbi Secher and his daughter Judith discuss her TMS experience here:
Overview
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive technique that uses magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in the brain to alleviate symptoms of major depression. It does not involve surgery or skin incisions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TMS for use when other depression treatments have failed. Additionally, the FDA has sanctioned TMS for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, and aiding smoking cessation when conventional methods are ineffective. Ongoing research is exploring other potential applications of TMS, such as in epilepsy treatment.
For depression, OCD, and smoking cessation, TMS involves the delivery of repeated magnetic pulses, known as repetitive TMS (rTMS).
How it Works
During an rTMS session aimed at treating depression, an electromagnetic coil is positioned against the patient’s scalp. This coil emits magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions responsible for mood regulation and depression. It is believed to activate brain areas that show reduced activity during depressive episodes.
The term “deep transcranial magnetic stimulation” or “deep TMS” may also be encountered. The primary difference between rTMS and deep TMS lies in the coil type used; the deep TMS coil can stimulate broader and deeper brain areas. Deep TMS has received FDA approval for treating OCD and aiding smoking cessation.
While the exact biological mechanisms of TMS are not fully understood, the stimulation appears to influence brain function, reducing depression symptoms and enhancing mood.
Various TMS techniques exist, and they may evolve as researchers discover more effective treatment methods.
