TMS for PTSD

Like any other mental health condition, some sufferers experience more severe and/or long-lasting symptoms than others. Symptoms may also vary in intensity over time. In severe cases, sufferers may find that their quality of life is significantly impaired, to the extent that they’re not able to work or find that their relationships are impacted negatively by their condition.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is, as the name suggests, a form of therapy that causes magnetic pulses to pass through a specific area of the brain. TMS is an FDA-approved therapy, that has been scientifically proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression, brain fog, and related problems.

During a TMS treatment, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp, on the area immediately above the part of the brain that requires stimulation. Magnetic pulses then pass from the coil into the brain for the duration of the treatment, which normally takes around half an hour.

Patients are conscious throughout and don’t require any sedation or preparation prior to treatment. There is no need to undress during treatment or shave the hair away from the area where the TMS coil will be applied.

The treatment isn’t painful – most patients describe the sensation as being similar to tapping. Some patients may experience slight light-headedness during treatment, but this isn’t particularly common. After treatment, there’s no need to avoid any particular activities, or rest – patients can get right back on with their schedule.

Studies have shown that TMS can stimulate those areas of the brain that become underactive as a result of mental trauma. It is thought that following trauma, some parts of the brain may become under-active. This results in the unpleasant PTSD symptoms that some people experience. TMS for PTSD works by stimulating those areas, hopefully bringing their levels of activity up to a more normal level.

For many people, TMS can result in an improvement in symptoms in both the short- and the long-term.

Although the speed of results varies from patient to patient, many people who start a course of TMS for PTSD begin to feel positive results after just a few sessions. In comparison with therapy, which may take many months, or medications, that can take a couple of months before showing any beneficial effects, TMS for PTSD can begin to work quickly.

TMS for PTSD is designed to specifically target the area of the brain that scans have identified as commonly becoming less active in sufferers of PTSD. The TMS magnetic pulses pass directly into the affected area – the rest of the body remains untouched.

In contrast, medication has the potential to affect every organ in the body, even though its beneficial effect (if there is one) is confined to the brain.

Whilst talking therapies can be a beneficial treatment option, if the issue is a physiological one (an under-active area of the brain), then it’s likely that therapy alone may not make much of an impact on the PTSD symptoms. TMS targets the area of the brain that’s out-of-kilter, providing a physical solution to the problem that’s causing the PTSD symptoms.

Used correctly TMS has the power to transform the lives of many PTSD sufferers by relieving their symptoms. Once symptoms have gone into remission, many people find that they no longer need to take medication, and can begin to move forward with their lives.

TMS Hudson Valley provides TMS for PTSD. Our fully qualified and experienced team will devise a customized TMS protocol that’s specifically tailored to meet your individual requirements.

Get in touch to find out more about how TMS for PTSD could provide a lasting solution to your distressing symptoms, or the symptoms of someone that you care about.