TMS for OCD Treatment
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
TMS treatment OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which patients have repeating, undesirable contemplations, thoughts or sensations (fixations) that make them feel driven to accomplish something drearily (impulses).
Thus, these repetitive compulsions such as cleaning, checking, arranging and ordering can significantly interfere with persons daily activities and social interactions.
Who gets OCD
It is estimated that OCD occurs in around 1.1% of the general population in the UK. (Mentalhealth.org.uk)
In other words, 12 out of every 1,000 people suffer from OCD. However, the actual number may be higher due to many people suffering in silence.
What are the symptoms of OCD
OCD can have an assortment of symptoms ranging from physiological to mental. These shift from patient to patient. People with OCD may have manifestations or fixations, impulses, or both. Also, Fixations are rehashed contemplations, inclinations, or mental pictures that cause anxiety.
Obsessions
Obsessions are repetitive and tenacious contemplations, driving forces, or pictures that reason troubling feelings, for example, uneasiness or nauseate. Numerous individuals with OCD perceive that the musings, driving forces, or pictures are a result of their brain and are unnecessary or outlandish. However, these intrusive thoughts can’t be settled by rationale or thinking. A great many people with OCD attempt to disregard or smother such obsessions or counterbalance them with some other idea or activity.
Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive practices or mental acts that an individual feels headed to perform in light of an obsession. The practices are planned for forestalling or lessening trouble or a dreaded circumstance. In the most extreme cases, a consistent reiteration of customs may fill the day, making an ordinary routine unimaginable. Also, aggravating the anguish these ceremonies cause is the knowledge that the impulses are irrational.
Some examples of compulsions:
- Checking
- Repeating
- Cleaning
- Ordering and arranging
- Mental Compulsions
TMS Treatment for OCD
Are you or someone you know struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that may help reduce OCD symptoms by gently stimulating specific areas of the brain involved in the condition.
How Does TMS Work for OCD?
TMS uses magnetic pulses, delivered through a coil placed on the head, to target key areas of the brain linked to OCD. These include:
- The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)
- The supplementary motor area (SMA)
These brain regions are involved in how we process thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. In people with OCD, these areas can become overactive or imbalanced. TMS aims to help “reset” this activity, reducing intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and anxiety.
Encouraging Long-Term Change Through Neuroplasticity
TMS works by encouraging neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. Over time, this can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function, even after the treatment has finished. Many people experience ongoing relief from OCD symptoms well beyond their course of TMS.
Benefits of TMS for OCD
- Non-Invasive and Drug-Free: No surgery, no anaesthetic — just targeted magnetic pulses to specific brain areas.
- Minimal Side Effects: Most people experience little to no side effects. Some may feel mild scalp discomfort or headaches, which usually pass quickly.
Effective for Many: TMS has shown positive results, especially for those who haven’t responded well to medication or therapy alone. At The rTMS Centre, we have achieved an 80% response rate in patients with OCD.
Works Alongside Other Treatments: TMS can be used on its own or together with other treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or medication for the best results. - Improves Daily Life: As symptoms reduce, many people find improvements in mood, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Personalised Approach to Treatment
At The rTMS Centre, we believe every treatment should be tailored to the individual. Before starting TMS, we use advanced neuroimaging tools like qEEG brain scans to pinpoint which areas of your brain are either overactive or underactive. This helps us deliver focused treatment where it’s needed most.
Check Your Eligibility
Overall, TMS treatment for OCD works by targeting specific brain regions involved in the disorder and modulating neural activity to alleviate symptoms. While individual responses to TMS may vary, many individuals with OCD experience significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life with this non-invasive treatment approach.
You can commence your eligibility process by adhering to our three-step treatment method outlined here.
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