I Tried TMS Therapy for 60 Days to Reduce Depression and Anxiety. TMS Therapy Review.

Summary

This video script details a personal experience with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, a treatment that uses magnetic signals to alleviate depression, anxiety, and OCD. The narrator describes the initial discomfort of the 'woodpecker' sensation, which lessens over time, and shares their significant improvement in depression and anxiety levels. They also discuss the potential for varying results, the high cost of treatment, and the option of theta burst TMS for a quicker, albeit more expensive, alternative. The script concludes with a recommendation for those who can access TMS therapy.

Takeaways

• 😖 The speaker describes their experience with Deep TMS therapy as initially feeling like a bird pecking at their head, but becoming more pleasant over time.
• 🧲 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy uses magnetic signals to target specific brain areas to improve conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD.
• 🔍 The therapy process involves a gradual reduction in the discomfort felt, making the treatment more bearable as the patient becomes accustomed to it.
• 📺 Patients can use the 20-minute treatment sessions to watch TV, listen to music, or podcasts, making the time spent more enjoyable.
• 📉 The speaker noticed a significant improvement in their depression levels, with a baseline change from a seven to a five on their survey scale.
• 🔄 The speaker attributes the reduction in anxiety to a combination of TMS therapy and heart rate variability training exercises, with anxiety levels dropping to a four out of ten.
• 😴 Sleep improvements were not significant, and the speaker did not experience a notable change in overall mood post-treatment.
• 📈 The speaker recommends TMS therapy for those who can access it, with most people expecting about a 50% reduction in depression or anxiety symptoms.
• 💰 TMS therapy is expensive, and insurance typically covers it only after unsuccessful attempts with pharmaceutical alternatives.
• 🏥 The speaker suggests that in states with strong medical record protection, it might be easier to get insurance coverage for TMS therapy.
• 🌟 An alternative to traditional TMS is Theta Burst TMS, which requires shorter and fewer treatment sessions but may not be covered by insurance.

Q & A

What is the therapy described in the transcript called?

The therapy described in the transcript is called Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

How does transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy work?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy works by sending magnetic signals to parts of the brain to improve depression, anxiety, and OCD.

What is the initial sensation of TMS therapy described in the script?

The initial sensation of TMS therapy is described as feeling like a woodpecker pecking at the head for 20 minutes.

How does the sensation change after multiple TMS treatments?

After multiple treatments, the woodpecker feeling diminishes and it feels more like a slight tap on the side of the head.

What can a person do during the 20 minutes of TMS treatment?

During the 20 minutes of TMS treatment, a person can watch TV, close their eyes and listen to their own music or podcasts.

What are the four categories the results of TMS therapy are broken down into in the script?

The results of TMS therapy are broken down into depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and mood.

What was the reported change in depression levels after TMS therapy according to the script?

The reported change in depression levels was a significant reduction, going from a seven to a five on a personal scale.

How does the script describe the impact of TMS on anxiety?

The script describes a noticeable change in anxiety levels, but it also acknowledges the contribution of heart rate variability training exercises and monitoring with a device called 'leaf'.

What was the reported improvement in sleep after TMS therapy?

There was not much improvement in sleep after TMS therapy according to the script.

What is the expected result for most people who try TMS therapy?

Most people should expect an approximately 50 percent reduction in their depression or anxiety levels.

What is the alternative TMS treatment mentioned in the script and what are its benefits?

The alternative TMS treatment mentioned is Theta Burst TMS, which requires only five days of treatment with sessions approximately 10 minutes long, and is said to be as effective, if not more effective, than traditional TMS.

What is a potential drawback of the Theta Burst TMS treatment?

A potential drawback of Theta Burst TMS is that it is most likely not covered by insurance.