Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) versus Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Depression?

ECT stands to represent electroconvulsive treatment. These two words make a frighteningly descriptive sentence. In a nutshell electroconvulsive therapy is a method of causing a seizure. However, ECT might be more effective than the life/emotional seizure caused by severe depression.

Although ECT has shown some remarkable results, it is not suitable for all patients. Side effects of ECT can be quite distressing. Both ECT and tms treatment depression for depression use some form of electrical stimulation to stimulate the brain. However, there are important differences between them.

• ECT, also known as electroshock therapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), induces seizures by using an electric shock. TMS uses a magnetic field to produce a smaller electric current in a specific area of the brain, without causing seizures or loss consciousness.
• In severe cases of depression, electroconvulsive therapy has been extremely effective in many instances. Although Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation may not be very potent, it is possible to increase the curative power by adding neurofeedback or hypnosis. TMS can now be used to treat mild depression. It is recommended for patients who have not been able to benefit from antidepressant medications, but not more than one. This treatment restriction could change, but a person with depression may still be able to benefit from effective complementary healing techniques like biofeedback or hypnosis.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is much safer than ECT. TMS is an outpatient procedure and does not require sedation, unlike ECT. Patients who have undergone TMS can drive themselves to and fro treatments.

• The temporary disorientation that electroshock therapy causes is always a part of the treatment. It can also cause temporary, but often painful, memory issues. It can also have a significant impact on the cardiovascular system. This could be a concern for some. These issues are not the responsibility of TMS. TMS is almost without adverse effects.

Before seeking treatment, many patients need to determine if they are really depressed or just going through life’s normal sadness events.

One example: A person contacted me to inquire if I needed antidepressant therapy after telling me they had just lost a loved ones.

They inquired about antidepressant medication/psychological treatment because their sadness and loss were intense and appeared to be out of control. They also checked that they were experiencing certain depression symptoms (see below).

After talking with them, I discovered that although they didn’t meet the criteria to be considered “depressed”, their suffering was indicative that they needed some help. After receiving positive responses, I invited them to a session of hypnosis to help them deal constructively with difficult subjects.

Therapy Depression therapy is not the only option. Many experts use NLP (neurolinguistic programming) to help patients get through difficult days.

It is difficult to lose a loved one. While it is natural to want to go to sleep or die to escape the pain, most people don’t wish to die. They simply lack the tools to move forward until the pain eases.

After more than 20 years in the field, I believe that costly and crippling depression can be avoided if complementary treatments like neurofeedback, NLP and hypnosis are used immediately after the onset of painful life events.

In other words, people who have suffered terrible losses may be spared some of the heinous financial and mental costs such as unemployment and drunkenness.

How can someone overcome the financial and emotional debilitating effects of depression? They can learn to recognize when they’re depressed. This is for those who are stubborn and believe they are immune from treatment. It also refers to healing from painful events.

These are signs and symptoms that can indicate depression.

The following possible depressive symptoms may have been present for at least 2 weeks and consumed a significant portion of your day.

• A persistent depressed mood that is accompanied by the sentiment “I can’t bear it anymore — It just wants to die.”
• I lack patience. I don’t have patience for trivial things.
• Interest in once exciting activities like sex is low.
• Sleep disturbances. If you have them, you are aware. You may wake up frequently, have difficulty falling asleep, feel heavy in the stomach when you are awake and other symptoms.
• Problems with eating, such as sudden excess or insufficient food.
• Concentration and/or sitting still difficulties
• Your thinking may be “different”, but you aren’t sure how. Your body doesn’t appear to be yours.
• Indecisiveness, even in trivial matters like what to eat.
• Even after a good night’s rest, energy is often low and simple tasks can be difficult. This makes it hard to get up in the morning.
• Pervasive feelings of insignificance or remorse at being deeply inadequate.
• Memory problems that are abnormal.
• Invading thoughts of death and desire are uninvited.
• Make serious plans to “resign from life”

You should remember that depression can be overwhelming and even disabling if it is severe. Seek treatment if you feel that your life is having a significant negative impact.