Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a debilitating mental health problem.  It develops for some people who either experience or witness traumatic events.  Although PTSD has mainly been associated with veterans, the events that can lead to PTSD are not limited to war.  They also include accidents, assaults, or natural disasters.  Individuals who have been abused consistently over long periods may also develop a form of Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), which causes the same mental health problems.  Of course, not everyone will develop PTSD after a traumatic event.  For those who do, it can persist for months and even years, causing distress and negatively impacting their day-to-day life.

PTSD: What happens in the brain?

People with PTSD experience changes in their brain chemistry.  The brain is on high alert, making them hypervigilant for dangers even when none exist.  Usually, if we go through a traumatic event or dangerous situation, our body and brain calm down after some time has passed.  However, in PTSD, this does not happen.  Instead of returning to a normal state of calm, the person with PTSD will constantly relive the event.  This can come as flashbacks.  These vivid and intense memories can occur suddenly, leaving the person feeling like it is all happening again.  People living with PTSD often suffer from recurrent nightmares, leading to sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of PTSD

These symptoms may not happen immediately but often appear within the first few months after the event.   To be classed as PTSD, the symptoms need to last for over a month and start to negatively impact interpersonal relationships or a person’s ability to work.  Symptoms can come and go, often with no recognizable patterns, which makes them more challenging to deal with.  They may also worsen when triggered by a similar person, event or location.  PTSD symptoms may be grouped into four categories, which include:

Re-experiencing the event	Flashbacks – reliving the event in the present	Nightmares – ongoing bad dreams, night terrors.	Intrusive thoughts – frightening and unexpected thoughts
Avoidance of anything that recalls the trauma	Avoiding places like that where the trauma occurred	Avoiding people who remind them of the event	Refusing to think or talk about the event
Negative thoughts and feelings	Self-blame, memory issues and hopelessness	Relationship difficulties	Loss of interest in life
Changes in physical and emotional reactions	Feeling constantly on edge and easily startled	Sleeping problems – unable to fall or stay asleep	Irritability and being quick to anger

 Traditional and modern therapies for PTSD

Traditional therapies for PTSD include psychological treatment and medication.  Many people with PTSD form support groups to help them deal with the symptoms.  These are often helpful because the members have been through a similar experience.  PTSD is a severe and challenging disorder, but people can and do recover.  Now, more modern options are available for those who may not respond well to the traditional methods.  One such option is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Why choose Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

TMS has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression, which is often an issue for patients with PTSD.  It is a non-invasive therapy, which makes it appealing to those who have not responded well to medication or who want to avoid the risk of the side effects that often accompany them.  The procedure is simple, too – a magnetic coil is placed against the patient’s scalp to deliver magnetic pulses to specific brain areas.

How TMS works for PTSD

The area of the brain targeted by TMS is the prefrontal cortex.  This area is critical in regulating mood.  By acting on this region, TMS stimulates the neurons, subtly altering their activity and returning them to a more normal state.  This starts to create a balance in how emotions and stress are processed, thus helping to alleviate the symptoms associated with PTSD.

New information about the brain’s workings indicates that it can form new neural connections.  TMS likely works with the brain’s natural ability to reset the dysfunctional pathways established by trauma.

TMS helps to stimulate neurotransmitters.  These are chemicals that influence activity within the brain.  Several of these chemicals are affected by PTSD, particularly those responsible for mood, like serotonin and dopamine, and those that activate the stress responses, which are often raised in people living with PTSD.

TMS has been shown to improve the connections between the brain areas responsible for emotional responses, relieving many people who do not respond as well to traditional methods alone.

Key benefits for TMS use for PTSD

 

• Painless, none-invasive with minimal, if any, side
• Affordable and accessible
• Effective
• Complementary to traditional therapies

TMS can be used alongside other therapies to increase their effectiveness.  This is particularly useful for people for whom traditional methods have not provided the expected results.  Several studies have shown that patients experience fewer flashbacks and nightmares and a reduction in hyperarousal after TMS.  It is effective, convenient and versatile and is another avenue of hope in the treatment of PTSD.

TMS for PTSD at The Southern Colorado TMS Center

Across the US, around 13 million people have PTSD.  Approximately 1 in 13 people will develop PTSD during their lifetime.  This accounts for 20% of all adults experiencing a traumatic event.  70% of adults will likely experience at least one trauma during their lifetime.  With facts like these, it is clear that there is a significant need for PTSD treatments.  In Colorado, like in many other parts of the United States, the prevalence of PTSD is notable, particularly among veterans and first responders.  It can, however, affect anyone and cause problems in their daily lives.

At the Southern Colorado TMS Center, we deliver effective TMS.  All our patients are assessed, monitored and followed up after their treatment by our highly qualified and experienced mental health professionals.  TMS clinics like ours hope to be part of the solution and to play a vital role in helping people overcome this disorder and lead more fulfilling lives.   For more information about TMS and its role in the treatment of PTSD, please get in touch with our team of mental health professionals, who will be happy to discuss your individual needs.