A Psychiatrist Discusses TMS Therapy Considerations

A psychiatrist crafts custom treatment plans that encourage maximum benefit with few downsides. They take each patient’s unique set of circumstances into account before recommending transcranial magnetic stimulation. Keep reading to learn more about the safety and health considerations psychiatrists factor in when recommending TMS therapy.

Why a psychiatrist is in the best position to offer TMS therapy

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat mental health issues from physiological and psychological standpoints. A psychiatrist’s approach allows them to rule out physical causes of mental health issues. They will look into a patient’s medical history to rule out injury, medication, or an underlying illness. If they find a physiological cause, appropriate treatments are recommended. Otherwise, a psychiatrist will focus on the patient’s mental health as a ‘standalone’ issue.

Safety considerations for TMS therapy

Good candidates for TMS therapy need to check several boxes on a safety checklist. For starters, they need to be free of any medical implants whose function can be impaired by a magnetic field. A few examples of such implants are:

• Aneurysm coil
• Metal plate in the head
• Vagus nerve stimulator
• Pacemaker
• Defibrillator implant

These implants often have metal parts that will react to a strong magnetic field close by. Some implants also have circuitry that could malfunction when exposed to a magnet.

TMS therapy and medical history

Some medical conditions prevent patients from pursuing TMS therapy. A good example is an individual with a history of seizures. Exposure to high-frequency or low-frequency magnetic pulses can trigger seizures, which is not an intended effect of TMS therapy.

The same goes for patients with a history of stroke and other neurological issues. This is where the medical background of a psychiatrist comes into play. Psychiatrists use their knowledge as physicians to gauge the safety of TMS for each individual.

Mental health conditions that TMS treats

Screening for TMS therapy also involves forecasting how effective the treatment can be. Psychiatrists will recommend the treatment for suitable patients with the following needs:

1. People with treatment-resistant depression

TMS therapy is a good fit for the person who experiences limited success with more conventional treatments. Typically, such patients report little to no improvement after psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. These types of patients could benefit from an approach like magnetic brain stimulation.

2. Patients who suffer from major depression or anxiety

TMS can be a standalone treatment, or it can be part of a larger treatment plan. The therapy can be helpful in the treatment of major depression and severe anxiety. In this setting, TMS can boost the efficacy of talk therapy and medication.

3. People who want a non-drug treatment

Antidepressants and other types of medication come with side effects. In contrast, TMS only has a few lingering downsides. Aside from slight discomfort, TMS is a treatment that rarely disrupts a patient’s routine and general health.

Reach out and get the guidance you need from our team 

Our psychiatrist is happy to answer any questions you have concerning your mental health or the mental health of a loved one. Use the information on this page to reach our office and find out more.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hopetmsofny.com or call Hope TMS and Neuropsychiatric Center at (646) 578-8152 for an appointment in our New York office.

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