Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the US and affects around 30% of adults at some point in their lives.  Anxiety disorders may occur at any age, but as people move into adulthood, the likelihood of developing a problem with anxiety increases.  Women are twice as likely to experience anxiety than men.   Anxiety is often seen alongside other mental health disorders, notably depression.

There are 4 main types of anxiety disorder for which TMS has given effective relief:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – persistent and overwhelming worry about multiple areas of life.
• Panic Disorder – persistent and overwhelming panic attacks. These occur unexpectedly and recur over time.  This leads to anxiety about when the next attack may start.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) – intense fear in social situations, leading to avoidance of these situations and isolation.
• Phobia Disorders – excessive and persistent fear around particular objects or situations.

An anxiety disorder can have a significant and negative impact on a person’s daily life.  It can affect multiple areas, including work, school, family, and relationships.  Treatment is often essential to recovery, and traditional treatments may not be effective for everyone.  Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an effective form of treatment for anxiety.  It is particularly useful when it occurs alongside a depressive illness.  TMS can provide new hope for people experiencing high levels of stress.

TMS and Traditional Treatment options

Traditional treatments include talking therapies, including psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.  Many people are offered medication which can be very effective.  However, certain types of anxiety medication can prove addictive if used consistently over long periods of time.  As a result, many people seek to avoid pharmaceutical solutions if possible.  TMS provides a valuable form of treatment and can be used alongside talking therapies without the risk of the side effects associated with anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications.

TMS targets anxiety inside the brain

TMS works by easing the impact of what happens inside the brain when a person experiences high levels of anxiety.

Anxiety originates in the amygdala, a region deep inside the brain which is a central part of the flight and fight response.  If activity in this area increases, the person is likely to experience a sense of threat most of the time.  Ordinarily, the pre-frontal cortex will take signals from the amygdala and decide if this is a real threat, acting only when needed.  If the amygdala is highly active over long periods, this ability is reduced, leading to feelings of panic and overwhelm associated with anxiety disorders.

Other changes happen within the brain.  Certain neurotransmitters, the chemicals associated with brain activity, can start to become affected.  Increasing the impact of anxiety and giving rise to other problems such as depression.

How TMS can help treat anxiety

TMS has been shown to rebalance levels of the chemicals within the brain.  It is particularly effective on those associated with mood regulation, such as serotonin and dopamine.  Additionally, it helps to stabilize levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which cause racing heart, sweating, and hypervigilance, which are associated with feelings of threat.

TMS works with the brain to form new neural pathways.   TMS aims to encourage the pre-frontal cortex to re-establish control over the flight or fight response by breaking the unhelpful feedback loop created when anxiety levels are high.

TMS and the physical effects of anxiety

Alongside their heightened levels of threat perception and the unpleasant physical symptoms associated with this, people with anxiety can start to experience problems with memory.  They may find that their attention wanders, they lack focus, and they cannot concentrate or retain information as well as they used to.  This, in turn, can cause more anxiety.  Many people respond to this by avoiding situations that reinforce anxiety or create additional fear.  By working with the brain to re-establish more normal responses to external stimuli, TMS improves memory, increases calm, and enables people to regain control over their behavior.

How does TMS work

TMS uses a magnetic coil placed against the scalp to send magnetic pulses into the brain to stimulate the nerve cells.  There is no need for sedation, and the procedure has no lasting adverse side effects.  The pulses stimulate the brain to form better connections and stabilize the chemicals within it to help reduce feelings of anxiety.  Additionally, it helps with depression, which often accompanies anxiety states.  Each patient is assessed before, during and after the procedure to ensure that the TMS they receive is tailored to their needs.

TMS Procedure

TMS is simple yet effective.  On arrival at the clinic, you will be seated in a comfortable chair, and a healthcare professional will position the coil against your scalp.  Magnetic pulses will be delivered.  These target the pre-frontal cortex, the area associated with mood regulation and response.

The pulses feel like mild tapping sensations on the scalp and are delivered in sessions lasting between 30-40 minutes.  These sessions will take place daily during weekdays and are given as an outpatient procedure.  You will not be sedated and can go about your daily business as usual afterwards.

Common side effects include discomfort on the scalp, a mild headache, or lightheadedness.  These are mild and pass quickly.  There are no body-wide or long-term side effects from TMS.

What is the next step?

TMS provides a new line of treatment for people with anxiety.  It is beneficial for those who have not responded well to traditional therapies or who would like to add TMS to their treatment regime.

At the Southern Colorado TMS Center, we aim to provide high-quality, seamless service that can be accessed with minimum stress.  Anxiety is a significant mental health disorder, but one which can, and does, respond well to treatment.  We offer a free consultation to discuss your medical history and personal needs so we can tailor your treatment to meet your individual needs.  Once this has been completed, we can arrange for you to begin your TMS sessions as soon as possible.