Mental health treatments have evolved significantly over the past few decades, offering sufferers a wider range of options to manage conditions including depression and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has become one of the more popular and researched forms of treatment. But more recently, advances in neuroscience have introduced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive procedure that directly targets brain activity.
This article explains how both CBT and TMS work, and how a combination of the two, could provide a powerful, integrated approach to treating mental health disorders.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used talking therapy that helps individuals manage various mental health challenges by altering their thought patterns and behaviours. It's most commonly employed to treat anxiety and depression, but it can also address other conditions like bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD¹.
CBT operates on the premise that thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions are interconnected. Negative thoughts and emotions can trap us in a cycle of distress. CBT aims to break down overwhelming problems into smaller parts, teaching patients practical ways to improve their daily mindset. Unlike some therapies that delve into past issues, CBT focuses on current problems and provides tools for coping effectively¹.
Psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck pioneered CBT in the 1960s and 1970s. Dissatisfied with Freudian psychoanalysis, Beck sought empirical approaches. CBT also draws from Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT), developed by psychologist Albert Ellis⁴.
TMS if different to CBT. It is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas. By targeting brain circuitry, TMS aims to treat
depression. It involves placing an electromagnetic coil against the scalp, activating brain cells in regions controlling mood and depression⁷.
TMS works through electromagnetic induction. The TMS coil generates focused magnetic pulses that penetrate the skull and reach targeted brain regions. It alters brain activity, potentially alleviating depressive symptoms. TMS is particularly useful for pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder⁸.
Combining CBT with TMS offers a promising approach. While CBT addresses negative thoughts and behaviours, TMS directly influences brain circuitry. Together, they can enhance treatment outcomes for depression and related conditions. CBT helps patients change their thinking patterns, while TMS targets brain regions associated with mood regulation⁶.
In summary, CBT with TMS represent distinct yet complementary approaches to managing depression. Whether used individually or in combination, they empower individuals to regain control over their mental well-being. Remember, seeking professional guidance is essential for personalized treatment plans⁶⁷.
(1) Overview - Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/
(2) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | Psychology Today United Kingdom. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy
(3) TMS: Stimulating the Brain Back to Health - Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-do-you-know/202306/tms-stimulating-the-brain-back-to-health
(4) Everything to know about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation
(5) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Transcranial Magnetic .... https://www.brainfacts.org/Diseases-and-Disorders/Therapies/2018/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Transcranial-Magnetic-Stimulation-what-are-these-therapies-020718
(6) Beck Institute Cares | The History of CBT | Beck Institute Cares. https://cares.beckinstitute.org/about-cbt/history-of-cbt/
(7) Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) | Definition, History, Techniques .... https://www.britannica.com/science/cognitive-behaviour-therapy
(8) The Science Behind CBT: How It Rewires the Brain - CPD Online College. https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/mental-health/science-behind-cbt/
(9) Combined transcranial magnetic stimulation and brief cognitive .... https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-020-04870-6