Accelerated TMS for Treatment-Resistant OCD - TMS Institute of Arizona,

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition that causes uncontrollable and reoccurring behaviors and thoughts. Approximately 1.2 percent of adults experience obsessive-compulsive disorder every year.

Although standard treatment calls for cognitive behavioral therapy, some with more significant forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder may also benefit from medication therapy. While these treatments work for most people with OCD, about 10 percent of people do not respond. TMS therapy is a science-backed alternative for those living with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What Is Treatment-Resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Treatment-resistant OCD is the term given when your OCD symptoms still negatively affect your life despite undergoing treatment. To receive a diagnosis of treatment-resistant OCD, you must have your condition confirmed by your physician and have participated in comprehensive treatment with little relief.

The causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder are complex, and researchers are still trying to find more effective forms of treatment — especially for OCD that doesn’t respond to traditional treatments like therapy and medication.

Some people turn to other therapies to address their treatment-resistant OCD symptoms. One treatment that has had great results in treating OCD is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

How Does OCD Affect Your Brain?

Several regions of the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of OCD:

  • Prefrontal cortex– Responsible for decision-making, response inhibition and error detection
  • Cingulate gyrus – Helps us predict the negative consequences of actions
  • Basal ganglia and caudate nucleus – Aids in your ability to stop impulsive actions
  • Thalamus – Relays information from the body’s senses

Two areas of significance related to OCD are the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia (specifically the caudate nucleus). When you complete a task correctly or do well, your prefrontal cortex lights up, leaving you feeling satisfied.

However, you become sad or disappointed if you fail at your task. These negative feelings are your brain’s natural way to help you improve. For those with OCD, this region of their brain is hyperactive, causing them to feel as though something is constantly wrong.

In addition, the caudate nucleus helps you resist impulsive actions while creating responses through proper reasoning. Brain images of those with OCD indicate abnormalities in these areas, making it challenging to stop fixating on particular thoughts and specific actions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes unwanted intrusive thoughts to cycle through your mind. These thoughts leave you with feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and panic, which can cause you to become “stuck” in a negative cycle.

When this occurs, it dramatically impacts the way you behave and think. It’s not uncommon for those with OCD to also receive a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, especially as their condition progresses.

Accelerated TMS and the Brain

Both regular and accelerated TMS targets the specific areas of the brain associated with OCD. This helps reduce intrusive thoughts, as well as compulsive behaviors and other symptoms of TMS.

How Does TMS Therapy Work?

TMS therapy can help alleviate symptoms associated with many conditions, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, stroke, migraines and addiction. This therapeutic approach utilizes theta burst stimulation, which are small electromagnetic pulses delivered to your brain via coils placed on the scalp.

These coils deliver short magnetic pulses to target brain areas specifically associated with OCD, such as the prefrontal cortex. Stimulating these brain areas produces long-term changes. These positive changes may include remission of your condition or substantial symptom alleviation.

Accelerated TMS Therapy

Accelerated TMS therapy may be beneficial in addressing treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. This approach uses a similar technique to standard TMS therapy.

However, instead of receiving one session daily, accelerated TMS is more intensive, and you receive multiple rounds per day. Accelerated TMS delivers quicker results, providing fast relief for those dealing with challenging OCD symptoms.

The Advantages of Choosing Accelerated TMS for OCD Treatment

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can affect every facet of your life, interfering with your relationships, work and education. As OCD progresses, some may begin avoiding everyday situations that exacerbate their symptoms. Several advantages associated with accelerated TMS include:

  • No downtime – Each session lasts 20 to 40 minutes. After that, there is virtually no downtime.
  • No need for anesthesia – Unlike ECT, accelerated TMS doesn’t require anesthesia.
  • Can be used with current therapies– You can use accelerated TMS alongside your current treatment regimen
  • Non-invasive – TMS is done without surgery.
  • Targeted effects – Accelerated TMS targets specific areas of the brain associated with OCD.
  • Works more quickly than standard TMS – With accelerated TMS, you receive multiple sessions a day.
  • Is an effective alternative to SSRIs – Accelerated TMS has been found to be an effective alternative to medications.
  • More prolonged effects – Studies have shown that the effects of TMS last six months or more.

How Effective is Accelerated TMS?

Research studies assessing the efficacy of accelerated TMS on individuals with treatment-resistant OCD found that those who participated in accelerated protocols found considerable relief in a shorter amount of time than those undergoing a more standard TMS schedule.

Accelerated TMS can also deliver faster results with fewer side effects than medication management. Your treatment length depends on your specific protocol and whether you experience substantial relief after beginning treatment. Some people enjoy up to a year of remission from their condition. You can schedule additional appointments as needed.

Other Uses for TMS Therapy

Accelerated TMS therapy is not only for treatment-resistant OCD but also for other mental health and cognitive disorders. Many people have found relief from depression and generalized anxiety disorder, too.

Those diagnosed with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder may also receive an additional anxiety or depressive disorder diagnosis. If you are dually diagnosed with treatment-resistant OCD and another condition, accelerated TMS may help.

Is TMS Therapy Right for Me?

TMS therapy is a minimally invasive and well-tolerated treatment for several mental health conditions and cognitive disorders. Through gentle stimulation of the brain’s neural pathways, TMS can rebalance brain activity while restoring emotional well-being and enhancing your quality of life. You may benefit from TMS therapy if you meet the following criteria:

  • Have a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • You haven’t found relief through traditional therapeutic modalities, including medication
  • The medications you are on are causing unwanted side effects
  • Your symptoms are greatly affecting your quality of life
  • You are looking for a non-invasive treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Find Out More

We understand that everyone’s path to achieving healthy mental well-being is unique. TMS Institute of Arizona is dedicated to helping individuals find meaningful relief from mental health and cognitive conditions.

If you are ready to take the first step towards the transformative power of accelerated TMS therapy, call us today. Our team is available to answer any questions you might have and explore the treatment options available to you.