@samuelsmith7866
I’ve had both! ECT worked faster, but wore off quickly. I then had TMS, which seemed to have lasted longer (early 2020-mid 2022). Notably, I haven’t had any manic episodes since ECT, which is a welcome relief
@lukeb6771
I did notice TMS to help. However, it definitely depends on how many rounds of treatment you go through. It’s an intense time commitment - you need to go 5 days a week for at least 8-10 weeks. I ended up going for 14 weeks, you can go longer than the minimum. If you only go once or twice a week, it’s not going to work. Some people who’ve completed the initial full treatment will sometimes get into the habit of “topping it off” with a round or two every two weeks. It gave me an energy boost - after walking out of each appointment, I actually had a little skip in my step. I noticed that reality seemed to be a little clearer. I specifically remember one summer day, halfway through treatment, I was just walking home from work. I noticed a bunch of vibrant pink flowers hanging from a bush above my head. And I said to myself “Wow, these flowers are absolutely beautiful” and I just stopped to observe and admire the beauty of this little piece of life. I know it’s a ridiculously cliché story and sounds like a tv commercial. But it’s true. I suddenly felt clear. I said to myself “finally, I’m back to me.” TMS essentially gives you more power over emotion regulation. Physically, there are two parts of the brain concerning emotions. The amygdala is the emotion epicenter, but it’ll just flood out of control. The prefrontal cortex’s job is to “tamp down” the amygdala, telling it to calm down. TMS targets the prefrontal cortex, making its neural pathways literally stronger. TMS not only gave me more subconscious emotion regulation, but I can now very consciously calm myself down or wipe the anxiety away.
@alyssastickels1324
I had TMS treatment a few months ago, and it took about 3 weeks of treatment before I started noticing a change. Since then, I have been doing much better. I went from being suicidal, barely functional, and emotionally unstable, to having none of those issues. I have a high pain tolerance, so the only time I experienced significant discomfort was when I had woken up with a migraine. It is also kind of expensive, even after insurance (about $50 per treatment, with relatively good insurance). But for me, it is absolutely worth it. I definitely recommend it for anyone with the need and means to receive the treatment Edit: I forgot to mention that I did experience twitching of muscles in my face (mostly my eye) during the treatment at first because of the placement of the coil. A slight adjustment was made, and it stopped happening
@alexandriagartman3620
I’ve been looking into this VS ECT. I’m running out of options to treat my mental health issues; thank you for covering this topic!
@Alitari
I was threatened with ECT by a psychiatrist ... after he brushed off my symptoms and acted like I was the problem, not that I was facing a problem ... told me to 'do your relaxation exercises' even though I hadn't gotten any treatment that included that. CAMH ... even with Canada's universal healthcare, mental health is poorly and under treated, in my opinion.
@amylizbrarian
TMS didn’t completely get rid of my depression, but it did make a huge difference for me! I had tried over a dozen medications (including different combinations - for example, an SSRI + mood stabilizer + anxiety med). TMS got me back to a baseline where medications could help again. Before i had it, i had lost the ability to cry or feel any deep emotions. Since getting TMS (~5 years ago), I can cry at anything (more like my pre-depression self) and my meds are able to keep me stable. One downside: my anxiety got worse again after TMS, but i seem to have an issue where either my depression or my anxiety is dominant (never fully balanced). Bonus: while getting treatment, they had netflix set up and i was able to get through a whole 3-season series 😂 I also mentioned TMS when doing my medical history with a new neurologist, and she was really curious to see if TMS could be useful for certain neurological issues too! I hope we continue to see research on TMS for a variety of conditions - especially as a non-invasive treatment option.
@beachcheeseburgerdoingyoga3111
Another way to stimulate your prefrontal cortex: Learning from these videos! Thanks for doing what you do!
@jackh4147
I had this therapy a year ago and it's worked wonderfully. So far I haven't had to get more treatments as of yet.
@morganbiddlecom
I had treatment resistant depression my entire life and have tried well over a dozen different medications with limited or no success. TMS worked for me, and while I still have seasonal depression, the constant weight of my major depression is gone, even years later. Anecdotes aren't evidence, but given the lack of side effects I think it's worth seeing if you're the lucky one in 10 or 12 if you've also tried a zillion different meds over the years with little or no effect.
@jmwild1
Sadly TMS did not help me as a last ditch effort for me to retain my employment. I ended up resigning and going on long term disability while continuing TMS treatments. Ultimately for me, early retirement helped tremendously. It's a solution only a privileged few could make. I had to decide that my investments and retirement savings were enough that I could live comfortably without working.
@clrobinson1776
TMS has helped with my depression but has done very little to help with my anxiety & panic attacks. It’s only really used for depression. I’ll take any help I can get. I finished treatment a month ago so I’ll have to wait & see how long it lasts.
@krellend20
Every time Dr. Carroll uses data as a plural noun, my brain freaks out a little bit even though I know it is correct.
@DaveSomething
I've also had ECT and TMS... ECT worked for a while, then left me messed up with a chronic migraine. TMS worked as long as I did it, it wore off days after I stopped (and on weekends)
@Firechild369
I find this topic extremely fascinating. There are other forms of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) that are out on the market and I’m hearing nothing but positive reviews and how this whole concept is really making a positive affect on the human body.
@CounselingCoachDavid
Thank you! This was helpful information, and very concise. Highly appreciated.
@Sauvium1
Bloggess and author Jenny Lawson has an excellent description of her experience with TMS in her latest book, Broken (in the best possible way). It is an interesting, insightful and humourous look at the realities of going through these treatments and the benefits and fallbacks that she experienced. It is an excellent read to go with the science if you are considering it for yourself.
@real.psyched
It should also be noted that TMS therapy is only a small part of actual TMS research. TMS is used in clinical and cognitive research at various different regions and study various different functions. TMS can be applied repetitively, or in single pulses. TMS therapy is maybe only 5% of all research that is done with TMS.
@avadventuregear
Having TMS atm. My psychiatrist told me to do things to stimulate neural pathways by texting or writing with my left hand, walking backwards, skipping, stretching, watching or doing math, reading difficult books etc. anything to work out the brain
@skullaria
I'm interested in it for treating chronic pain. Very little out there though for diy.
@caseyreeves4575