Rewiring the Worry: How TMS Can Help Calm the Overactive Brain in Treatment-Resi

When life gets stressful, it’s normal to worry. But what if worry sticks around all the time? When constant worry takes over and becomes intense, it can develop into an anxiety disorder. And for some people, traditional treatments don’t seem to help. Fortunately, an innovative therapy called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is showing promise for those with treatment-resistant anxiety. 

Goolsby and Associates is a leading provider of TMS in North Georgia and the surrounding areas. We understand the complexities of treating anxiety and know that many do not find relief with standard treatment options such as talk therapy and medications. Thankfully, TMS is providing a lifeline for those who desire an effective tool to help alleviate their symptoms. Let’s dive into how TMS can offer hope by helping to “rewire” the brain.

Understanding the Difference: Worry vs. Anxiety Disorders

Most of us experience worry at times. Maybe it’s a deadline at work, a big decision, or concerns about a loved one. This type of worry is temporary and typically fades once the situation passes.

An anxiety disorder, on the other hand, is a clinical condition that goes beyond everyday worry. It’s not just a response to a specific stressor—it’s an ongoing, often overwhelming sense of dread that interferes with daily life. For a diagnosis, mental health professionals look for symptoms that last at least six months and impact daily functioning. People with anxiety disorders might experience physical symptoms like muscle tension, a racing heart, or an upset stomach, even if there’s no immediate threat or reason for the worry.

Key Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary but often include:

• Persistent feelings of unease, fear, or dread

• Physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, and muscle tension

• Difficulty concentrating due to constant worry

• Sleep disturbances due to worry and racing thoughts

While worry is a natural part of life, an anxiety disorder takes a firmer grip, making it difficult to enjoy life’s daily routines.

Traditional Treatments for Anxiety

For most people with an anxiety disorder, treatment can be very effective. Traditional treatments typically include:

1. Talk Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of therapy for anxiety. It helps people recognize and change thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. Many find CBT beneficial, especially when combined with other treatments.

2. Medication: Some people with anxiety benefit from medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are often prescribed to help regulate mood. Medications can help take the edge off, but they may not work for everyone and can have side effects.

3. Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, sleep hygiene, and relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation are often recommended alongside therapy or medication. These lifestyle changes can help ease symptoms and support overall mental well-being.

For many, these methods provide relief. But for some, anxiety doesn’t seem to budge, even with traditional treatments. This is where the concept of treatment-resistant anxiety comes in.

What is Treatment-Resistant Anxiety?

Treatment-resistant anxiety is when someone has tried multiple rounds of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments but still experiences significant symptoms. This can be disheartening, as it feels like nothing is helping.

The criteria for treatment-resistant anxiety generally include:

• Trying two or more medications from different classes, like SSRIs and benzodiazepines, without success

• Participating in at least one course of evidence-based therapy, such as CBT, with minimal results

• Struggling with persistent symptoms that impact daily life, even with consistent treatment efforts

For people with treatment-resistant anxiety, it may seem like there are no other options. But TMS offers a promising new approach that works in a very different way from medication or talk therapy.

What is TMS, and How Does It Work for Anxiety?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. The idea is to gently “nudge” the brain into healthier activity patterns, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

How TMS Works

TMS focuses on the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain involved in mood regulation, decision-making, and anxiety. During a TMS session, a technician places a magnetic coil over this area of the scalp. The coil delivers gentle pulses that stimulate the brain cells beneath it. Over time, this stimulation can help “rewire” the way the brain processes anxiety, leading to long-term relief for many people.

The magnetic pulses used in TMS are similar in strength to those in MRI machines, so they’re completely safe and don’t cause pain. Each session lasts about 20-40 minutes, and a typical treatment course involves five sessions per week for four to six weeks.

Why TMS is Different (and Effective) for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety

TMS offers unique benefits for people with treatment-resistant anxiety because it directly targets the brain’s pathways. Unlike medication, which affects the entire brain and body, TMS is precise. This targeted approach means that it doesn’t come with the systemic side effects often associated with medications, such as drowsiness, nausea, or weight gain.

For those who haven’t found success with other treatments, TMS can be a breakthrough because it reaches areas of the brain that traditional therapies might not fully access. This can lead to new and lasting changes in how the brain processes anxiety.

Evidence of TMS’s Effectiveness

Research on TMS for anxiety is still growing, but studies show that it can be highly effective, especially for people who haven’t found relief elsewhere. In some cases, people report a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms within weeks of starting treatment. While it doesn’t work for everyone, the positive results in many cases provide hope for people who feel like they’ve exhausted all other options.

What to Expect from TMS Treatment

A typical TMS session is straightforward and doesn’t require any anesthesia or sedation. Here’s what a typical treatment journey might look like:

1. Initial Consultation: A doctor will evaluate your history and symptoms to see if TMS is a good fit. They may ask about previous treatments, how long symptoms have persisted, and any other mental health conditions.

2. Mapping: During your first TMS session, the technician will “map” your brain to determine the precise area to stimulate. This mapping process ensures that TMS targets the exact regions involved in anxiety regulation.

3. Regular Sessions: Treatment usually involves around 20-30 sessions over a few weeks. Each session is quick and doesn’t require recovery time, so you can drive yourself home or back to work afterward.

4. Gradual Improvement: Many people notice subtle improvements over the first few sessions, with continued progress over time. Some people feel calmer and less anxious within a few weeks, while others may need a full course to notice significant changes.

Is TMS Right for You?

If you’ve been dealing with treatment-resistant anxiety, TMS could be worth considering. TMS has been approved by the FDA for depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, and although it’s still an emerging treatment for anxiety, the results so far are promising. Many insurance plans cover TMS for depression, and some are beginning to cover it for anxiety, too, as more research supports its effectiveness.

If you’re unsure whether TMS is right for you, talk with a mental health professional who is experienced in TMS. They can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks and see if this option could be helpful for your unique situation.

Final Thoughts: Finding Hope with TMS

Living with treatment-resistant anxiety can be exhausting, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. TMS offers a new way to approach anxiety by targeting the brain’s activity and creating changes that can bring lasting relief. For those who have tried other treatments without success, TMS can be a transformative experience.

Everyone’s journey with anxiety is different, and finding the right combination of treatments can take time. But if worry has become an overwhelming, ever-present part of life, TMS might just be the “rewiring” your brain needs to find peace again. If you are ready to tackle your anxiety with TMS please do not hesitate to reach out to us and schedule a consultation. Here at Goolsby and Associates we understand that no two patients are alike. We treat each case individually and look forward to serving you.