The FDA has officially cleared Magstim TMS for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
In groundbreaking news from the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA has cleared TMS therapy via Magstim as a new treatment for OCD. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy has been life changing for those who suffer from treatment resistant depression. Now, those suffering from OCD can receive the same affects as those with Major Depressive Disorder.
What is OCD? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts that prompt obsessive, ritualistic behaviors. These compulsive behaviors can interfere with daily living and become extremely distressful and time consuming for those who deal with them. Like those doing treatment for MDD, those who do treatment for OCD will have almost the same experience. The clearance of this treatment will give those who suffer from severe OCD another option when it comes to treatment that does not involve the use of medication. The magnetic coil that is placed on the head is used to send magnetic pulses into the area of the brain that OCD stems from. Just as TMS targets the area of the brain that is underactive when treating major depressive disorder, TMS treatment for OCD targets the area of the brain that is over-active.
What area of the brain is TMS targeting? The area of the brain that TMS is targeting for OCD treatment is called the Supplementary Motor Cortex (SMA). This area of the brain is shown to trigger intrusive thoughts and movements when over-active. By treating this area of the brain, it will slowly be able to relieve those thought patterns and movements. TMS protocols can look different for everyone, but what makes TMS so great is that it is able to be personalized to each person’s brain anatomy.
Eastside TMS and Wellness Center will be offering treatments for OCD later this calendar year. We currently offer treatments for MDD. If you or a loved one are suffering with treatment resistant depression or OCD, this may be the help you have been waiting for. For more information, feel free to call our office or make an appointment to see if TMS is the right fit for you.
