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. It can cause drastic mood swings that can impact on every aspect of your every day life.

Bipolar is often misunderstood. 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.

Traditional methods of dealing with the symptoms of the depression caused by bipolar– from medication to therapy – don’t always work. Research has shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can reduce the symptoms of depression in those living with bipolar.