Sleep Disorders
There is a strong relationship between sleep and mental health. Insomnia, one of the most common sleep conditions, can lead to depression and/or exacerbate symptoms of those already suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. TMS not only works to treat mental health conditions, but can also improve sleep. Call 480-448-2916 to schedule a detailed evaluation.
Sleep Disorders and Health Conditions
Restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and hypersomnia events, including narcolepsy are some of the key sleep disorders that intersect with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Holistically treating the patient by addressing both mental health and sleep disorders is the key to a happier, healthier life.
Is it a lack of quality sleep that is causing or worsening your mental health—or is your mental health getting in the way of proper sleep? Comorbidities work in tandem. If you treat “just” one, you may improve the other. However, by taking charge and tackling root causes, you can get on the fast track to better overall health. If you’re tired of feeling tired all the time and want to avoid the medications so often used to help “get better sleep,” working with both a sleep expert and using TMS treatments may be the key.
TMS for Patients with Sleep Disorders
A significant amount of research has analyzed the use of TMS treatment using low frequency stimulation to treat individuals with intractable insomnia. Using TMS as a long-term inhibitor on the motor cortex works to promote the release of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, GABA, and noradrenaline.
5-HT is closely related to a regular sleep-wake cycle and GABA assists in slowing down neuron conduction speed. This process assists in inducing sleep regulation in various active areas of the cerebral cortex. Studies have shown that the total sleep time can increase when these neurotransmitters are targeted and that the time it takes to fall asleep can be reduced with TMS treatment.
Restless legs syndrome has been shown to significantly improve when high frequency TMS targeted over the areas of the brain that control motor control of the legs takes place. Narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia have also been shown to respond to TMS therapy with improvements in daytime alertness when high frequency stimulation over the prefrontal cortex occurs.
Off-Label Considerations
TMS may be helpful as an off-label treatment. Many clinical studies have been performed that support such treatments, but TMS is not yet approved by the FDA to treat disorders beyond depression and OCD. For off-label treatments, the machines are set differently in order to trigger appropriate and beneficial responses in the brain. It is a safe and effective alternative to medications that does not use anesthesia or have long term side effects. To learn if you’re a candidate for TMS treatment, call the TMS Institute to schedule a detailed evaluation.
