Bipolar therapy with rTMS A revolution in controlling mood swings
Dr. Melika Akbari Mehr
تهرانNeurologist and neurologist
Living with bipolar disorder is like walking on a tightrope between two peaks of excitement and depression. Managing these mood swings is a big challenge, but advances in medical science have opened new horizons. One of the new and promising methods is bipolar treatment with rTMS, which seeks to restore balance to the brain with a different approach. In this article, we examine in detail how bipolar treatment with rTMS can improve the quality of patients.
How is bipolar treatment performed with rTMS?
Imagine that the brain is a big orchestra, but in bipolar disorder, some musicians (brain regions) play out of tune. Like a seasoned conductor, the rTMS device tries to eliminate this dissonance. In this non-invasive method, the device sends targeted magnetic pulses to certain areas of the human brain, especially the prefrontal cortex, which regulates mood.
These pulses actually stimulate or inhibit the activity of nerve cells in that area and over time cause the resetting of nerve circuits. Simply put, bipolar therapy with rTMS helps the brain to create healthier communication patterns, thereby reducing the intensity and frequency of episodes of depression or mania.
Benefits of bipolar treatment with rTMS
Bipolar therapy with rTMS, with its unique features, is rapidly becoming an attractive option for patients and physicians. This effective treatment method is not only an alternative, but sometimes an excellent supplement for other treatment methods.
The benefits of bipolar treatment with rTMS are as follows:
- Improving mental concentration: increases processing power and daily mental stability
- Non-invasive method: This method does not require surgery, incision or general anesthesia to perform
- Less side effects: compared to different chemotherapy drugs, this treatment method causes far less systemic side effects for the person
- reduction of disturbing thoughts: reduces repetitive and disturbing thoughts
- Sleep cycle regulation: improves sleep quality and circadian rhythm
- Improving social relationships: increases the ability to manage social and emotional reactions
- No disturbance in daily functioning: bipolar treatment in this way does not cause any disturbance in your daily activities even after the session is over
- Increasing the energy level: It strengthens the motivation and mental preparation of the person
- Efficacy in the depression phase: It has shown promising results in improving the symptoms of severe depression in bipolar patients
- Decreasing drug dependence: This method can help reduce the dose of drugs or even stop them.
- High safety: Bipolar treatment with rTMS has been approved by world-reputable organizations such as the FDA and has high safety
Comparison of rTMS with other treatment methods for bipolar disorder
Choosing the right treatment method for bipolar disorder depends on several factors. In addition to rtms methods, drug therapy and electroshock therapy (ECT) are also used. It is possible that each of them has significant differences from each other. Understanding these differences helps patients and families to make informed decisions about the treatment path. In the table below, you can see the difference between these three methods.
|
Feature |
Treatment with rTMS |
Drug therapy |
Treatment withECT (electroshock) |
|
How to treat |
Targeted stimulation of specific brain areas with magnetic pulses to regulate neural activity |
Changing the level of neurotransmitters in the whole brain |
Creating a brief controlled seizure with electrical current to reset brain activity |
|
method type |
Non-aggressive |
Non-invasive (oral use) |
Invasive (requires general anesthesia) |
|
Side effects |
Very mild and temporary headaches, tingling sensation in the scalp |
Weight gain, drowsiness, digestive problems, metabolic complications |
Possibility of short-term and long-term memory loss, headache, muscle pain |
|
How to do it |
Daily sessions of 20 to 40 minutes for several weeks |
Daily consumption of one or more pills |
2 to 3 treatment sessions per week under full anesthesia |
Am I also a suitable candidate for bipolar treatment with rTMS?
Although rTMS is a promising method, it is not suitable for everyone. After a detailed evaluation of the patient's condition, the specialist doctor decides whether this method can be a suitable option for him or not. In general, bipolar treatment with rTMS has a positive effect for certain groups of patients.
These people usually include the following:
- Drug-resistant patients: people who have not responded to several courses of drug therapy
- People with severe drug side effects: those who cannot tolerate the side effects of drugs
- Patients in the depressive phase: people who are in the severe depressive phase of bipolar disorder
- Pregnant or lactating women: as a safer option compared to some drugs
- Patients who want a non-drug approach: People who are looking for drug-free treatment options
- Complementary therapy: those who want to strengthen the effectiveness of drugs along with this treatment method
The importance of realistic expectations of rTMS therapy sessions
One of the most important points in bipolar treatment with rTMS is that patients enter the treatment process with a realistic view. This method is not an instant or magical cure; Rather, it is a gradual process that requires the patient's patience and cooperation. The recovery of patients usually begins after a few weeks from the beginning of the sessions and may show itself in the form of a decrease in the severity of depression symptoms, an increase in energy levels and an improvement in concentration.
The success of this treatment depends on various factors such as the severity of the disease, adherence to the treatment plan and the physical condition of the person. Some patients experience significant improvement, while rTMS works as an adjunct to other treatments for others.
Treatment of mood disorders at Neurali Clinic
Bipolar treatment with rTMS is a new and powerful approach in modern psychiatry; If you intend to attend these treatment sessions, you must choose a reliable center, and in this regard, Nourali Clinic is the best choice. Relying on a team of the most prominent neurologists in Iran, as well as using the latest treatment protocols and advanced devices, Nurali has provided a safe and professional environment for providing bipolar treatment services. To get an appointment and get more information about treatment sessions, contact our consultants at Nurali Clinic.
FAQ
Can rTMS completely replace drugs?
In some cases, yes, but it is often used as an adjunctive therapy to increase the effectiveness of drugs or reduce their dosage. It is up to the doctor to decide on this.
What are the common side effects of rTMS?
The most common complication is a mild and temporary headache after the session, which can be resolved with common painkillers. Serious complications are very rare in this method.
How long after rTMS treatment are the results visible?
Usually, after 2 to 4 weeks from the beginning of the sessions, patients notice an initial improvement in mood and a reduction in depression symptoms. Full results will appear gradually.
