Exploring TMS as an alternative treatment for anxiety disorders

When you’re experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, one of the first steps to managing them is to talk to your doctor about potential treatment options. They’ll likely recommend a combination of medication and psychotherapy. While that combo is effective for many people, there are other courses of action worth discussing that can be included in your treatment plan, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, commonly referred to as TMS or TMS therapy, is an alternative treatment option for people with anxious depression as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

Anxious depression and OCD, an anxiety-related condition, are currently approved by the FDA to be treated by TMS. Studies show that more than 50% of people with OCD who have undergone TMS therapy report reduced symptoms. Since it’s already helped so many, it’s worth learning about the details. 

Read on to learn about TMS, how it can help people with OCD and anxious depression. Then we’ll discuss how to know if the treatment is right for you.

The basics of TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for depression, anxiety and OCD. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain—targeting the root cause of mental health conditions, not just the symptoms. Over 80% of patients respond positively to TMS therapy. Unlike antidepressant medications, TMS has no systemic side effects like weight gain or sexual dysfunction. It also avoids the cognitive side effects often associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

TMS therapy involves 36 sessions over the course of six weeks, which includes a tapering period of two to three weeks. A big benefit of TMS is that the sessions are done in an outpatient facility without requiring any anesthesia or sedation, so you can immediately return to your regular routines afterward.

While it’s possible to experience mild side effects such as headaches and fatigue, they tend to lessen with each session. Many people don’t experience any side effects at all. 

How it can help reduce OCD and anxious depression symptoms

OCD is an anxiety-related condition marked by persistent obsessions and compulsive behaviors that can significantly disrupt quality of life if left untreated. TMS is a non-invasive treatment that has been shown to reduce OCD symptoms by modulating activity in brain regions commonly associated with the disorder, specifically the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

People with OCD tend to have high levels of activity in this area because it contributes to response control and error processing. High levels in the ACC can lead to obsessive thought patterns and the need to carry out compulsions in response.

By stimulating the ACC with magnetic pulses, TMS therapy can reduce the hyperactivity and the resulting anxiety that comes from it. It can improve both your daily functioning as well as your emotional regulation by alleviating the symptoms that can cause mental and physical distress.

If you’re experiencing anxious depression symptoms, the pulses are more likely to target the underactive left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to improve your mood.

If you’re searching for natural OCD treatment options or looking into non-drug therapies for OCD, TMS may be an effective and scientifically supported option to consider.

Figuring out if TMS is right for you

You may want to explore alternative treatments in addition to medication and therapy. When you’re trying to figure out if a treatment option is right for you, like TMS, it’s important that you collaborate with your providers, such as your general practitioner or psychiatrist. They can help to determine if it’s a safe and effective course of action based on your symptoms and medical history.

TMS is most often used to help people who have treatment-resistant depression, anxious depression or OCD. Essentially, if you’ve tried medication in the past without notable positive results, TMS may be a good option to discuss with your provider. It’s also covered by many insurance carriers.

Please note that TMS isn’t a safe treatment option for OCD if you have certain metal or electronic implants in or around your head, including:

• Deep brain stimulators
• Cochlear implants
• Aneurysm clips or coils
• Metal screws or plates 
• Bullet fragments

Psychiatry Treatment Centers provides alternative treatment for anxiety stemming from OCD

OCD can cause overwhelming anxiety that makes it difficult to be productive, maintain quality relationships and strive for your long-term goals. If medication isn’t working for you, TMS may be an alternative worth exploring.

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, our team can help you determine if TMS is the right fit for your mental health journey. We use the latest TMS technology from Brainsway and Magstim. The Brainsway device provides deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Magstim might be an option if you have OCD with co-occurring major depressive disorder.

You can receive TMS therapy at our multiple locations across California and Georgia. We also provide medication management and psychotherapy services that can help people with anxiety disorders, including OCD.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also book your initial appointment online now.