rTMS
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), is an FDA approved biological treatment for mental health conditions like depression or OCD and even negative symptoms of schizophrenia along with evidence of its efficacy being in conditions like Bipolar, Neurological disorders, Tinnitus as well as Strokes when other line of pharmacotherapy or psychological treatment fails to produce significant change. This is a non-invasive, non-surgical process wherein an electromagnetic field, which is roughly the strength of an MRI scan, passes multiple magnetic pulses per second through the skull, that stimulates the targeted areas of the underlying brain tissue to produce reduction in the difficulties and intensity of symptoms.
rTMS requires a minimum of 20-30 session are generally recommended which range 20-30 minutes per session. rTMS has been seen to produce no significant side-effects other than occasional minor headaches in some cases and rarely seizures in extremely low number of patients, however rTMS is faster and non-invasive when compared with ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy). Therefore, even when ECT is a highly effective treatment for many severe disorders, rTMS has far lesser side effects, rTMS is convenient and effective in many disorders where the conventional treatment has not shown any significant improvements.
In cases of Chronic illnesses, it may be required that certain number of maintenance therapy be conducted in the preceding months, whether in the form of medication or follow-up rTMS session after the initial treatment has been conducted.
Biofeedback Mindfulness
Biofeedback is a technique that involves use of visual or auditory feedback to help people in mental health conditions like anxiety or ADHD and even Stress to recognize the physical signs and techniques like increased heartrate, muscle tension and body temperature. The aim behind this treatment is to help people by teaching them to control physical and psychological effects of stress and anxiety and ultimately learn to relax their mind and body by actively regulating their somatic symptoms. This has been scientifically shown to teach people to control bodily functions like blood flow, blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and pain perception.
At Aarunya we have advanced biofeedback mechanism which helps us to monitor many of the above factors as heart rate, breathing, temperature along with sweating which is ideal for gaining the required effects of Biofeedback. Biofeedback has been shown effective in many conditions like ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), High or Low Blood pressure, Migraines as well as Pain perception. In some cases, it has shown to be effective for treating PTSD.
Generally, a Biofeedback session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, however the length and number of sessions are fixed depending on your condition, its severity as well as your pace in learning to control your physical response.
Biofeedback is extremely safe; however, a consultation is required to decide whether it’s a suitable line of treatment for you. Be sure to consult and discuss with trained professionals first.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electro convulsive therapy (ECT) has a procedure done under general anesthesia, which in which small electric current is passed through brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure.
ECT stimulates the brain centers abruptly causing release of neurotransmitters (chemicals) that are causative in mental illnesses, that usually take a longer in more conservative therapies
Since ECT provides rapid positive response even in cases that other treatment modalities fail, it is a frequently used option in chronic or treatment resistant cases. There is a stigma attached to “shock treatment” since in olden days high-voltage electricity was given without anesthesia, leading to a lot of discomfort and side-effects. it is much safer and uncomfortable these days as the procedure is controlled and given under sedation to provide maximum benefit with minimum risks, it is a specially considered to be good option for pregnancies and older people. It is used in severe or treatment resistant depression, mania, schizophrenia, catatonia and acute suicidality