TMS treatment for Social anxiety disorder
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an innovative approach to treating Social Anxiety Disorder.Smart TMS offers an innovative approach to treating Social Anxiety Disorder by utilising Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique targeting specific brain circuits associated with the condition.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition which involves a persistent and intense fear of social situations. This can includes fears such as meeting strangers, speaking in public, or being judged by others. Individuals with social anxiety disorder commonly experience symptoms such as nervousness, sweating, trembling, blushing, heart palpitations during social situations. Moreover, individuals with social anxiety disorder may avoid or dread social interactions, which can interfere with their daily functioning, relationships, work, or education. Usually first occurring in adolescent, Social Anxiety Disorder can persist for years if left untreated.
What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?
A singular cause of social anxiety disorder has not been identified; the disorder is not fully understood. However, researchers believe that it may result from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Some possible factors that may contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder may include; a family history of anxiety disorders or other mental health problems, chemical imbalances of brain chemicals, a negative or traumatic experience in a social situation, having an insecure attachment style with parents or caregivers in early childhood, or having an introverted personality which makes it harder to cope with social situations.
How does rTMS treat Social Anxiety Disorder?
According to some studies, rTMS may help reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorder by targeting the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which has been found to play a key role in the neural circuitry of social anxiety disorder. Research suggest that applying low-frequency rTMS over the right PFC can reduce the overactivity in this region that is associated with social anxiety disorder. Furthermore, high-frequency rTMS over the left PFC can enhance the activity of this region that is linked to positive emotions and coping skills. By balancing the activity of both hemispheres of the PFC, rTMS may help restore the normal functioning of the brain and alleviate the fear and avoidance of social situations. However, the optimal method of rTMS treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder is still unclear due to the limited number of studies on this topic.
Is TMS Treatment Right For You?
Try our quick 2 minute questionnaire to see whether TMS treatment could help.
Depression & anxiety treatment prices
At Smart TMS, we recognise that a large percentage of our patients suffer from depression and anxiety alongside one another. For this reason, we treat these two conditions together within the same session.
TMS treatment for depression and anxiety is split into two courses. After 15 sessions, the results of the treatment are very apparent for most patients.
| London | Other Locations | |
| Initial course (15 sessions) | £3,750 | £3,300 |
| Second course (15 sessions) | £3,750 | £3,300 |
| Total price (Including assessment) | £7,850 | £6,950 |
Continuous Care
Dr Neal and his team understand the need to help our patients stay well beyond the end of their TMS treatment. Using research and our own experience, we have designed aftercare packages to provide ongoing care with a planned programme of regular top-up treatments.
Have you had TMS treatment for depression at another clinic? Smart TMS can offer you maintenance therapy, too!
What our Patients Say
I didn’t know that I had borderline personality until later in my life and didn’t think that I would ever change but my depression and low mood has gone and I can think about what I do before I do it too.
Mr N
My childhood trauma caused my BPD but I found talking therapies difficult and I felt an urge to spend lots of money to make me feel better. Although I still feel low sometimes it isn’t anywhere near as bad as before I had TMS and I get out of my low mood much quicker than before.
Miss C
I felt like BPD had a big stigma attached and I was worried about my colleagues finding out about my diagnosis. While I could only see situations in black and white before, I’m now more able to see all of the shades of grey in between and handle situations much more calmly.
Mr I