TMS Therapy, which has shown great effectiveness in treating major depression, has also received FDA clearance for use as a complementary treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, features distressing, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) that feel out of one’s control. To reduce anxiety and distress from these obsessions, a person may feel compelled to perform specific actions repeatedly (compulsions). For example, an individual with OCD might repeatedly check the stove, driven by a strong worry about a potential fire, even if they’re aware it’s probably unnecessary. These patterns of obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (taking more than 1 hour per day), and can really take over someone’s life, making daily routines challenging.
Psychotherapy and medication, while fundamental in treating OCD, may not be enough for everyone. As OCD can often coexist with depression, this can intensify the struggle and add layers of complexity to the treatment process.
TMS has shown to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms in patients who had not responded adequately to traditional treatments. A drug-free, non-invasive, out-patient procedure with no systemic side effects, TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions in the brain known to be particularly affected by OCD.
This advancement offers new hope for those seeking additional options in their treatment journey. To find out if TMS is for you, please call or message us. Or, you can submit the short form below for a comprehensive evaluation.
* Please note that FDA approval may not necessarily mean your insurance plan will cover TMS for OCD.