What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
ECT vs TMS: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that uses an electric current to cause controlled seizures in a patient. ECT provides relief from depression by causing changes in brain chemistry, which reverses the effects of mood disturbances.
What is Transcranial magnetic stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method for treatment of depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, involves applying rapidly changing magnetic fields to the brain from an electromagnetic coil placed near the head.
ECT vs TMS: 4 Main Differences and Similarities?
1) Mechanism
ECT uses electrical currents to cause the brain to seize, which acts in a similar manner to a reset button.
TMS uses low-intensity magnetic pulses to stimulate the nerve cells of the brain which facilitates growth and healing.
2) Invasiveness
ECT must be completed in an operating room, as it requires the use of a general anesthetic.
TMS is a much simpler procedure. This means that it can be performed in a doctor’s office without the need for any additional equipment.
3) Level of Discomfort
ECT requires you to be out cold. Depending on how much you like spending time at the doctors, this could be viewed as a positive or a negative.
TMS is much gentler, you can be awake during the treatment. You might experience a little discomfort in the region where the magnet is working.
4) Effects
Despite these obvious differences, both treatments do have some similar effects on your brain.
Both TMS and ECT increase the activity of very important cells found within your brain, which leads to their growth and development. They also increase the production of the key brain chemicals that control your mood and wellbeing.
Subsequently, they can both have a positive impact on your mental health – which leads us to our next point quite nicely.
At PsyFi TMS, we provide TMS treatments for depression. TMS is a safe and effective form of treatment for depression that allows patients to carry on with their everyday lives during the course of therapy. TMS is also associated with very few side effects. Learn more about TMS treatments for depression by getting in touch with us today at info@psyfitms.com or www.psyfitms.com
