Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions affect millions of people. They impact people in all parts of the world, including in Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Trinity, Tarpon Springs, and other areas of Florida. In some cases, mental health issues can persist, and treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation may be considered.
Effective treatments can make life much easier for people living with depression and can have a huge impact on day-to-day mood and activities.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is one form of treatment that can be used to help symptoms of depression. This treatment stimulates the brain using non-invasive methods. Equipment used for transcranial magnetic stimulation stays completely outside of the body and aims magnetic fields at certain parts of the brain.
Targeting these magnetic fields at the parts of the brain linked to depression and emotions has an impact on the central nervous system and the way your body operates. As it is a non-invasive treatment, there is no need for anesthesia.
Are there side effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation?
It is uncommon for transcranial magnetic stimulation to cause many side effects. People who undergo this treatment may report headaches while they are having the treatment or in the hours afterward.
It is not suitable for certain people to have this treatment. People with epilepsy or other uncontrolled seizures are not encouraged to undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation. Those with certain types of body jewelry or stents and implants in their head and neck region are also unsuitable candidates for this treatment.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation like?
A session will last around 20-30 minutes, although the initial session will last up to one hour as measurements need to be taken. The sessions will start once approved by one of our physicians.
A ‘magnet’ will be placed on your head during the session, and you can expect to hear sounds like clicking and tapping. Patients may feel a tapping sensation.