Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is very effective in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using TMS therapy for PTSD is quickly becoming the preferred method for treating the symptoms that normal behavioral therapy and medication don’t reduce. TMS therapy is very effective in helping clients see a complete reduction in their symptoms when combined with other behavioral and holistic therapies.
At Crestview Recovery, we support men and women 18 and over who are struggling with PTSD or other mental health disorders. Our staff will sit down with you and run a full assessment of your physical and mental health. In addition, they’ll evaluate the severity of your symptoms. This is done so that they can place you in the most appropriate treatment program for your unique needs. Reach out to our knowledgeable team today by calling 866.262.0531 for more information about our TMS therapy and PTSD treatment program.
Using TMS Therapy for PTSD
TMS therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment. It utilizes magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity in certain sections of the brain. Medical technology has advanced to the point where scientists can pinpoint how different mental health disorders affect the brain and how using electromagnets can restore normal brain function to those areas.
The areas of the brain that TMS therapy for PTSD targets include:
- The amygdala – This part of the brain deals with survival instinct, or your fight-or-flight response. It helps you regulate emotions, and when people experience a traumatic event, the amygdala is overstimulated.
- The prefrontal cortex – This area helps regulate cognitive functions, impulse control, and emotions. Brain scans of this area for people with PTSD show abnormal or low to zero activity depending on the severity of the traumatic event.
- The hippocampus – This section is responsible for storing and retrieving memories. People with PTSD have a smaller hippocampus, which can contribute to memory loss, cognitive decline, and being more susceptible to trauma.
TMS therapy stimulates the neurons in these areas and has shown to be very effective in returning these areas of the brain to normal function. At Crestview Recovery, our therapists have experience using TMS therapy for PTSD, depression, and other mental health disorders.
How Does TMS Therapy Work?
Before starting TMS therapy, therapists will go over your medical history and current medications. Also, determine whether or not you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. All of this is to ensure TMS therapy is right for you. Here is how TMS therapy works to reduce the common symptoms of PTSD:
- Clients will sit in a comfortable chair with a magnetic device placed on different areas of the head. During the mapping process, they will hear clicking noises and feel tapping on their forehead.
- Therapists will then run several tests to determine the strength of the magnetic pulses to effect change. Clients may experience finger or hand twitching during this step.
- Each session can last up to 40 minutes. During that time, they will continue to hear clicking and feel tapping, tingling, and other sensations.
- Clients will begin to feel a reduction in their symptoms after a few weeks of treatment. Typically, clients will participate in 20–30 sessions. Some clients can experience a full reduction in their symptoms by the end of the program.
When combined with other behavioral and holistic therapies, TMS Therapy is very effective in treating PTSD and other mental health disorders.
Crestview Recovery Offers TMS Therapy and PTSD Treatment for Portland Residents
At Crestview Recovery, we use TMS therapy and other evidence-backed therapies that are proven to be very effective in treating PTSD. We base each client’s treatment program on their individual symptoms and severity. We offer a full range of treatment programs, including:
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Separate men’s and women’s rehab
- Telehealth program
- Aftercare program
If you are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and ready for a real change, call 866.262.0531 today to discover all of the benefits of our TMS therapy for PTSD.
