TMS treatment for bipolar disorder
Bipolar, previously known as manic depression, is a disorder which causes the sufferer to have episodes of depression followed by episodes of mania.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an innovative treatment which can reduce the debilitating effects of the depressive episodes of bipolar. It’s a non-invasive approach that uses magnetic pulses to calm the areas of your brain that control mood, motivation and social skills.
Research has shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can reduce the symptoms of depression in those living with bipolar.
Traditional methods of dealing with the symptoms of the depression caused by bipolar– from medication to therapy – don’t always work.
TMS is a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments, with fewer side-effects than medication and no anaesthetic, no need for hospitalisation and no recovery time.
Bipolar is often misunderstood. It can cause drastic mood swings that can impact on every aspect of your every day life.
Each sufferer of bipolar disorder will have different symptoms, with the most common including:
• Feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time;
• Lacking energy;
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering;
• Feelings of emptiness and worthlessness;
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy;
• Having delusions or hallucinations;
• Difficulty sleeping;
• Lack of appetite;
• Suicidal thoughts
It's not known exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but it's thought to be triggered by stressful situations, such as the breakdown of a relationship or a bereavement. These changes can happen at any point in a person's life, but research suggests that most cases are diagnosed before the age of 30. Men and women are equally affected.
Conventional approaches to treating bipolar disorder include:
• Medication to stabilise mood and treat high/low episodes
• Psychological treatment – education, self-monitoring, coping skills
• Self-help – exercise, relaxation
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
These can be very effective with the right group, but may not suit everyone. It can also take a long time to get the right balance of medication.
How does TMS treatment work for bipolar disorder?
The treatment works by stimulating the prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain that controls mood, motivation and social skills. Instead of numbing emotions, as medication can do, TMS treatment gets to the root of the problem by resetting brain patterns and pathways using targeted magnetic pulses.
A course of TMS for bipolar usually involves 30 sessions of treatment which take place over a period of three to six weeks. Each treatment lasts 30 minutes, and some patients are able to have more than one session a day.
Read our testimonials from patients who’ve been freed from depression after treatment with Smart TMS.
What our patients say
Continuous Care
Life has it’s ups and downs and it’s for that reason that we recognise how important quality on-going care is. Our Continuous Care aftercare programme is designed as maintenance therapy after you’ve gone into remission from bipolar.
The Continuous Care maintenance packages available for bipolar patients include:
- Smart TMS Monthly: A monthly TMS “top up” to keep you feeling your best.
- Smart TMS On-Demand: A membership scheme that entitles you to exclusive discounts should you feel as though you’re relapsing post-treatment
Have you had TMS treatment for bipolar at another clinic? Smart TMS can offer you maintenance therapy, too!
Is TMS right for me?
Bipolar disorder is treatable, and Smart TMS can help
To help you make up your mind about treatment, our practitioners offer pre-arranged clinic visits to answer any questions you have and show you the TMS machine. If you would like to arrange a clinic visit, please call the team:
Is TMS right for you?
Download our brochure for more details and
your questions answered.
