When a person suffers from mental disorders, initial treatment often comes in the form of medications. While this can be effective for some, other options exist. Many people benefit from our behavioral health TMS therapy in Los Angeles, California. TMS is a therapy that stimulates the nerve cells in the brain. As a result, people often experience fewer symptoms of mental health conditions.

For many, this means needing fewer medications. TMS is non-invasive, FDA-approved, and does not involve drugs. This effective method can be the game-changer many people need. Montare Behavioral Health offers TMS therapy in Los Angeles, California, for those looking for a new way to treat their mental health disorder.

What is TMS Therapy?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a treatment commonly used to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Using TMS for anxiety and similar mental health conditions works by stimulating certain nerve cells within the brain. Before providing treatment, a doctor positions an electromagnetic coil on the patient’s forehead. Next, pulses of magnetic energy are sent into the brain.

As a result, it’s possible to control moods and relieve severe symptoms. A doctor identifies the amount of energy needed before providing the treatment in question. Because of the potency of this treatment, it’s usually given after finding that medications are ineffective. This treatment is also regularly used if psychotherapy was ineffective at treating mental health disorders.

The Science Behind TMS Therapy for Behavioral Health

This kind of stimulation therapy applies magnetic pulses to a person’s brain through a coil. Electric currents are sent to the coil, which creates the magnetic field generator for the treatment. As a result, the magnetic field will create an electrical current directly in the brain.

Each patient requires a distinct magnetic field pattern, which is why this treatment uses numerous coil types. The pulses of electrical currents happen in succession to ensure that the target area in the brain is effectively altered. The timing of these pulses determines what alterations occur.

How TMS Therapy Works in Los Angeles

Our Los Angeles TMS therapy for works by positioning an electromagnetic coil on the patient’s scalp. The coil delivers a magnetic pulse to the brain that stimulates surrounding nerve cells. The magnetic pulses target cells that play a part in depression and mood control. As a result, the pulses activate and rejuvenate areas with decreased activity.

Along with using TMS for anxiety and depression, this therapy also treats:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease

 

 

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Benefits of Our TMS Therapy in Los Angeles, California

There is a range of benefits available with brain stimulation therapy. When using this TMS therapy for depression, it’s ideal for anyone who has yet to feel relief from medications. Behavioral health TMS stimulates the nerve cells within the prefrontal cortex that cause appetite changes and low energy levels.

This improves the activity in the area and reduces depression symptoms. When someone experiences obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the prefrontal cortex suffers from increased inactivity. Moreover, the hyper-connectivity between the striatum and prefrontal cortex brings about severe symptoms of OCD.

TMS can inhibit this portion of the brain to reduce the symptoms of OCD. If someone wants to avoid using medications for a mental health condition, TMS has similar success rates. Response rates for patients who suffer from depression are as high as 64%. Additional research is necessary to determine how effective this therapy type is for other conditions.

Common Side Effects of Brain Stimulation Therapies

While brain stimulation therapy is practically harmless, there are some side effects a person should be aware of. The most common side effects are mild and usually dissipate after a few therapy sessions. These side effects can include headaches, scalp discomfort, tingling, and twitching within the facial muscles. Medical professionals can reduce symptoms by changing the amount of stimulation and by administering pain medication.

Severe side effects are relatively rare and can include:

• Hearing loss
• The mania for individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder
• Seizures

As such, it’s important to speak with the doctor before treatment to make sure the client is aware of the risks.

Who is a Candidate for Behavioral Health TMS Therapy in Los Angeles?

If someone suffers from clinical depression, an anxiety disorder, or a similar mental health condition, they’ll likely be a good candidate for the TMS treatment. For a person to obtain this kind of brain stimulation therapy, they mustn’t currently have a neural implant or a history of seizures.

This may be the ideal treatment if:

• Medication has yet to provide the kind of relief the client is looking for. People who suffer from anxiety and depression don’t always find relief from medications. To that end, rTMS could be a solution that produces results.
• Medication has caused negative side effects. Antidepressants and similar medications can create adverse side effects. The non-invasive aspect of brain stimulation therapy ensures side effects are kept to a minimum.
• The client is unable to take medication because of pregnancy. Most antidepressant medications are forbidden during a pregnancy, which isn’t true with brain stimulation therapy

How to Prepare for Behavioral Health TMS

Before obtaining TMS, a physical examination and psychiatric evaluation are likely necessary. The psychiatric evaluation involves a discussion on the mental health condition that someone suffers from.

During the physical examination, the client should tell the doctor if they:

• Have had previous TMS treatment
• Are currently pregnant
• Have a metallic or implanted medical device in their body
• Have serious brain damage from injury or illness
• Are currently taking vitamins, herbal supplements, or other medications
• Experience frequent headaches
• Have more than 1 mental health disorder
• Have a history of seizures

How to Prepare Before Initial Treatment

Because TMS is non-invasive and doesn’t require any anesthesia, preparation requirements are minimal. For the first appointment, the person can consider having someone drive them home following the treatment. They should also check if their insurance policy covers this kind of brain stimulation therapy.

What to Expect During the First Treatment Session

This therapy takes place in a clinic or doctor’s office. The effectiveness of this treatment depends on the number of sessions they attend. Sessions are typically carried out daily for around 4 to 6 weeks. During the first session, the doctor must identify the correct placement of the electromagnetic coil. Furthermore, this session should last around 60 minutes. In some cases, the doctor will provide earplugs to wear while the treatment is ongoing.

When treatment begins, the doctor will switch the electromagnetic coil on and off to produce concurrent pulses. The client likely experience a tapping sensation as well as a clicking sound. It’s during this initial treatment that the doctor performs the mapping process to identify the number of necessary pulses. The pulses act as the dose for brain stimulation therapy. Some patients require a higher dose than others.

What to Expect From Behavioral Health TMS Therapy Sessions

During any subsequent treatments, a person can bypass the dosage and coil placement process. While the initial treatment takes around an hour to finish, additional treatment sessions should last for 30 to 40 minutes.

The client will remain awake during the entire treatment and shouldn’t experience any adverse side effects. However, scalp discomfort occurs from time to time. Whenever the machine is on, they’ll experience the same clicking sounds and tapping that occurs during the first treatment.

Possible Results

Once the client obtains brain stimulation therapy daily for 4 to 6 weeks, they should see notable results for your mental health disorder. If our Los Angeles based TMS therapy is effective for them, the depression symptoms they experience may improve or dissipate completely.

Keep in mind studies for this therapy still occur regularly. Once scientists have a better understanding of the TMS technique and the best areas to stimulate the brain, the treatment itself could become more effective. Unless one’s anxiety or depression goes away completely, consider seeking ongoing treatment even after the brain stimulation therapy. Additional treatments may help you obtain long-lasting results.

Begin Behavioral Health TMS Therapy in Los Angeles, CA

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder or a similar mental health condition, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be what you need to start effectively treating the symptoms that you experience. At Montare Behavioral Health in Los Angeles, California, we use TMS therapy to treat a wide range of mental health disorders, which include everything from anxiety and depression to personality and mood disorders.

Contact us today to learn more about behavioral health TMS.