TMS for Mental Health

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

Poor mental health is not to be confused with mental illness. It is common for an individual to experience poor mental health without being diagnosed with a mental illness. Similarly, a person diagnosed with a mental illness is able to experience periods of positive mental, social, and physical well-being.

How Common are Mental Illnesses?

Statistics show that mental illnesses are among the most common overall health conditions in the United States. Over 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, and in any given year, 1 in ever 5 Americans will experience a mental illness. A staggering 1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Mental illness is not just a health condition that affects adults. Studies show that 1 in 5 children have had a seriously debilitating mental illness either currently or at some point in their life. 

What Causes Mental Illness?

Research shows us that mental health conditions are not a result of one event, but rather multiple, linking causes. Factors such as lifestyle, environment, and genetics can influence whether or not someone develops a mental health condition. Chemical imbalances in the brain and basic brain structure are also factors that play a role in ones mental health.

There is not always an identifiable cause for mental illness, however, many factors contribute to risk for mental illness, including:

• Trauma
• History of abuse
• Early life experiences
• Chronic medical conditions
• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Genetics
• Biological factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain
• Isolation or loneliness
• Grief

Anxiety Disorders

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is currently the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the US. Anxiety affects approximately 40 million people in the United States. Common anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 

Depression

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Clinical depression is a common mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy. It is not to be confused with the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience throughout their life.

Depression is not a passing problem. Major Depressive Disorder consists of episodes in which depression symptoms last for a minimum of 2 weeks. For some people, depression can last for years, but for many people, depression is a chronic illness that may go through phases of improvement and relapse.

Comorbid Conditions

Comorbidity is a medical term that describes the existence of more than one condition within your body at the same time. Comorbidity within mental health disorders is extremely common. Nearly 50% of adults in the United States with any psychiatric disorder report actually having 2 or more disorders. Anxiety and depression are often linked to each other in comorbidity. 

When to Seek Treatment

Some people who have mental health disorders may avoid seeking treatment out of shame or fear. Others may consider it a normal part of life. However, if you are struggling with your mental health, it is important for you to talk to someone. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist. Diagnosis of a mental health condition can be made by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. 

Why is Treatment for Mental Health So Important?

Mental and physical health are equally important components of a person’s overall health.  Depression can increase the risk for many serious physical health problems including:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes

Similarly, however, the presence of chronic physical health conditions can also increase the risk for mental illness.

Common Treatment Options

There are many different treatment options available for mental health conditions. There is no treatment that works for everyone. Treatment plans should always be individualized so that health care providers can choose the treatment, or treatments, that works best for each person.

Common treatments for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression often include medication, psychotherapy/cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.

TMS Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an FDA-approved, noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of mental health conditions. TMS therapy helps a wide range of conditions including:

• Treatment-resistant depression
• Anxiety disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Help Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

There is also research underway to see whether TMS therapy may work effectively on the following disorders:

• Stroke rehabilitation
• Schizophrenia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic pain
• Nicotine addiction
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

How Does it Work?

When you are depressed, it’s as if the neuroreceptors that carry emption signals through your brain have been clogged, making it impossible for you to feel normal. Typical first-line treatment options for depression are antidepressants and psychotherapy, however some people do not achieve relief of depression symptoms from either. 

Benefits of TMS Therapy

TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven’t been effective. Studies have shown TMS therapy to result in lasting, positive effects on brain function. TMS therapy is especially effective for people who have experienced a form of treatment-resistant depression.

Some other benefits of TMS therapy include:

• Non-systemic delivery, meaning nothing enters the bloodstream
• No sedation – patient remains awake and alert during treatment
• Non-invasive – nothing is inserted or implanted into the body
• No drugs – unlike with some drugs, there are no side effects like weight gain, drowsiness, sleeplessness, stomach upset or sexual problems you may experience with medication. 

Contact Us Today

Oasis TMS offers a safe, welcoming environment where providing non-medicated, results-orientated relief from depression and anxiety is our only priority. Start by taking the first step toward feeling better. Call us today at (888) 417-5973. Oasis TMS is here to help.