Stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives and if not addressed properly, can aggravate and lead to complex mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) etc. To highlight the importance of improving and maintaining mental wellness, May is observed as the Mental Health Awareness Month every year.
Dr Hardeep Singh, Senior Consultant, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mohali, through an advisory sheds light on rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), the latest treatment option to treat depression and OCD available at a few select centres such as Fortis Hospital Mohali.
What is rTMS? (Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Explaining the procedure, Dr Singh, said, “rTMS is a non-invasive and painless procedure that targets specific areas of the brain wherein magnetic field is used to stimulate or suppress specific areas of the brain. This magnetic stimulation helps treat depression and anxiety disorders.”
Which diseases can be treated
Dr Singh said rTMS is a form of brain stimulation therapy used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), pain disorders, migraines, prevent smoking etc. “Fortis Mohali boasts of the most advanced treatment options. rTMS will help revolutionise the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders. The treatment involves delivering repeated magnetic pulses.
Advantages
Discussing the advantages of rTMS, Dr Singh, added, “The procedure is non-invasive and can be carried out in the OPD. It doesn’t involve administration of anaesthesia. During rTMS, patients are awake and communicative while receiving daily sessions that can last up to 30 minutes, about five days a week for 4-6 weeks. It can be more effective in cases where patients have not responded well to medication.”
