On this basis, these disorders have developed to the level in which they are classified as the most predominant mental illnesses that exist with exceptionally high incidence as well as disability rates. As has been discussed, and as evidenced by the research that has been carried out nowadays, patients who suffer from depression can be treated using psychotherapy and medication among others. However, there are those conditions that do not respond to the ordinary treatment procedures, or those which manifest some side effects. Another approach which is relatively recently applied to the treatment of anxiety is the Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) which has shown good outcomes in the last years.
What is Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)?
dTMS means transcranial magnetic stimulation it is a day surgery where magnetic field is actively altered over some parts of the brain that control mood and emotion. It is also more adaptable than other methods of TMS in that the deep TMS – dTMS can extend deeper and hence more specifically into the brain.
How Does dTMS Work?
Regarding most of the deep TMS treatments, there is an electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp, over an area near to the foreheads when in the deep TMS session. Attempt activates a specific area of the human brain, which is neons, and regulates its action by using magnetic pulses from the coil. This allows for some regulation of the serotonin and Gamma- Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is responsible for producing some of the anxiety chemicals in the brain
Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are disorders that involve conditions involving worry and also fear, and nervousness. Some examples include; Generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder/ social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder among others. This means that there are consequences if conditions are not relieved; disability that hampers dailies and erodes the quality of living.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD therefore can be characterized as a disorder of excessive, unwanted, and persistent worry about various aspects of life including work, health or relationships, in situations that may not warrant any cause of worry.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which means that it is sudden episodes of fear or discomfort, often with physical symptoms, such as racing heartbeat, increased sweating or shortness of breath.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a condition characterized by extreme anxiety of social situations and social interactions which in turn cause the affected individuals to avoid such situations and experiences considerable discomfort while having to engage in social situations.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is characterized by obsessions, that are recurrent and unwanted thoughts disturbing the person and the compulsions or repeated behaviors that are meant to help the individual to prevent obsession related anxious experiences which cause a great deal of distress and can effectively impair.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Acute stress disorder can occur after a traumatic event and has symptoms which include having intrusiveness of traumatic memories and thoughts, difficulty in sleeping and dreams, being easily startled, and avoiding stimuli associated with the trauma.
Conventional Treatments for Anxiety
Common medical approaches in treating anxiety are therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and pharmacotherapy using antidepressants and benzodiazepines during a short period of anxiety disorders.
What is Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)?
How dTMS Differs from Traditional TMS
Transportation TMS works on upper layers of the brain while dTMS can overcome deposit layers therefore it can provide more effective treatment of anxious and depressive disorders.
The Mechanism of dTMS
dTMS generates neural activity in the brain, increases the connectivity between neuronal networks in the brain, consequently rebalancing the impaired circuitry’s functions in anxiety later on.
Effectiveness of dTMS in Treating Anxiety
Research evidence suggests positive effects of dTMS and apply it for different types of anxiety disorders, including AU patients who were not satisfied with traditional approaches to anxiety treatment in Australia.
Clinical Studies and Research Findings
A wide range of investigations have revealed that dTMS has beneficial effects on anxiety disorders: splitting the observed outcome into changes in subjective perceived severity and actual symptom severity, substantial decrease in anxiety symptoms has been noticed with a majority of patients reporting significant improvements after dTMS treatment and those benefits seem to be sustainable.
Patient Testimonials
Self-rated anxiety and mood significantly decrease in patients after the procedure of dTMS, and the performance of the patients also improves significantly as compared to the baseline; and, it has no side effects when compared to medications.
The Procedure
The dTMS treatment procedure is composed of at least four actions, namely: assessment, degree, session, and maintenance.
Pre-Treatment Evaluation
prior to the initiation of dTMS, patients receive an extensive diagnostic test to rule out their eligibility to the treatment course and tailor the program.
dTMS Session
Patients remain comfortably seated while the magnetic coil is attached to the coil holder and placed on the scalp of a patient during dTMS. It is in fact, non-invasive and is not normally associated with any form of anesthesia or pain.
Duration and Frequency of Treatment
usually provides dTMS in multiple sessions over several weeks, with each Treatment session lasting about 20-30 minutes. The exact amount and frequency of SIB may depend on the individual’s situation and response to the SIB program.
Side Effects and Safety
Major side effects of dTMS are rare and minor, symptoms being mainly headache or slight discomfort in the scalp during or after the course of treatment. TMS is generally well tolerated with fewer than 5% of patients experiencing serious adverse events, which makes dTMS a preferred treatment modality for a large number of patients.
Candidates for dTMS Treatment
Who Can Benefit from dTMS?
dTMS may be suitable for individuals with anxiety disorders who have not responded well to other treatments or who experience intolerable side effects from medications, particularly in the context of anxiety treatment in Australia.
Assessing Eligibility
Candidates for dTMS undergo a thorough evaluation to ensure they meet the criteria for treatment, considering factors such as medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals.
Advantages of dTMS for Anxiety Treatment
Non-Invasive Nature
dTMS is non-invasive, meaning it does not require surgery or anaesthesia, and patients can resume normal activities immediately after each session.
Limited Side Effects
While comparing dTMS with medications, side effects are very few and most of them are mild and transient, dTMS therefore appears to have ‘side benefit’ for many patients.
Potential Long-term Benefits
The findings have indicated the efficacy of dTMS in the alleviation of the above-said symptoms with chances of maintaining the results even after the treatment is over, thus providing substantial probability of improved anxiety conditions.
Limitations and Considerations
As a result, dTMS has several advantages, limitations and considerations that have to be taken into account.
Availability and Accessibility
dTMS might be less accessible released from the hospital and the treatment may not be available at every location or time due to insurance and providers.
Cost of Treatment
One might consider the reimbursement policy of dTMS treatment, as it can be expensive and might not be completely reimbursed by the insurance.
Patient Commitment to the Treatment Plan
dTMS might be less accessible released from the hospital and the treatment may not be available at every location or time due to insurance and providers.
Integration with Other Therapies
Combining dTMS with Psychotherapy
The present study indicates that combining dTMS with psychotherapy may yield better results in treating anxiety disorder because dTMS impacts on the biological aspect of anxiety and has no strong contraindications with the psychological approach.
Complementary Therapies
Certain patients may have existing prescriptions for other forms of treatment like mindfulness, exercise, or relaxation techniques alongside dTMS for the most effective approach towards anxiety
Future of dTMS in Anxiety Treatment
Further advancements and developments in dTMS as a field are imperative as new technology and implementations continue to be explored; however, this form of treatment consistently illustrates impressive results and therapeutic opportunities.
Ongoing Research and Development
Some of the more specific, current areas of research include identifying new uses for dTMS, fine-tuning the parameters for dTMS treatments, and examining the effectiveness of the procedure as a treatment for a variety of psychological disorders.
Potential Innovations
About technology and delivery of dTMS: Future development in technology and the methods of delivering dTMS might provide a chance to make treatment more tailored for individual patients and more accessible – it would be highly beneficial in managing anxiety disorders.
Conclusion
Deep TMS is a potential source of help for patients with anxiety disorders; dTMS can act as an option in those cases when routine approaches are ineffective. These aspects of the favorable safety profile, the relative absence of associated adverse effects, and the possibility of benefiting from lasting outcomes make dTMS a viable option for tackling anxiety.
