TMS Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder Los Angeles, CA
The brain is composed of over 100 billion neurons. The quality of behavior between your neurons can be disrupted by many things. If you, or a loved one suffers from BPD Los Angeles is home to Neuro Wellness Spa TMS therapy centers. TMS can treat specific areas of the brain that may not be communicating effectively in people with borderline personality disorder.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is non-invasive, medication free procedure that can be used to help treat borderline personality disorder. TMS is a safe and effective treatment that delivers magnetic pulses to stimulate different areas of the brain. TMS is non-invasive (does not require surgery), non-systemic (does not affect the entire body) and well-tolerated. TMS therapy can be used alone, or in conjunction with other treatment modalities including behavioral therapies and medication.
During treatment, patients relax in a treatment chair and remain awake and alert. Many like to read or take advantage of the other mental health services we offer at Neuro Wellness Spa.
If you are interested in how TMS could help you or a loved one struggling with borderline personality disorder (BPD), contact us today. We are happy to answer your questions, or help you schedule a consultation at one of our psychiatry clinics in Los Angeles.
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?
TMS is both non-invasive and non-systemic. It has fewer side effects than other treatments. In some cases, no side effects at all. With more than 10,000 treatments performed in clinical trials, the most common side effect was mild-moderate scalp discomfort. Unlike medications, which affect the entire body as they pass through the blood-brain barrier, TMS therapy targets depression at the source. That means TMS does not have drug-related side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction or emotional flatness.
During TMS treatment, patients recline in a private treatment room and may relax, read, work, or watch television during treatment. A TMS magnet is positioned over the patient’s head to deliver gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for borderline personality disorder. Each treatment sessions lasts about 30 minutes, after which patients can get back to their days right away, including work or school.
TMS safely treats symptoms of borderline personality disorder. It uses gentle magnetic pulses to nurture specific areas of the brain. For the better part of medical history, the world has focused on chemical aspects of the brain with medications. TMS takes a different approach by targeting neurons–brain cells that communicate with each other in circuits using neurotransmitters.
For those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, specific neurocircuitry, or areas of the brain are known to function differently. With the use of gentle magnetic pulses, TMS stimulates these areas of the brain to improve the brain’s ability to regulate mood.
How is Borderline Personality Disorder Treated with TMS?
For borderline personality disorder (BPD), TMS is a supplemental treatment that is meant to be used in combination with other therapies. It is not meant to replace medications or therapy. When added to existing treatment regimens, TMS has been shown to greatly decrease BPD symptoms.
A 2017 clinical trial of TMS for the treatment of BPD reported a decrease in self injurious and suicidal behavior among BPD patients. Patients in this study also experienced improved social functioning and better interpersonal relationships. Using TMS to treat BPD might also result in other clinical benefits including improved mood and reduced depressive symptoms.
TMS therapy usually consists of 36 treatment sessions spread over three months. Each session usually lasts about 20-30 minutes. During TMS treatment, patients recline in a treatment chair and remain awake and alert. A TMS magnet is positioned over the patient’s head to deliver pulses to specific areas of the brain. Patients report that the pulses feel like taps on the scalp. After each treatment session. patients can immediately return back to their daily routines.
TMS is well tolerated. Sometimes patients experience mild scalp discomfort or mild headache during treatment. Most patients experience noticeable improvement after 2 weeks of TMS treatment (8-10 sessions)
If you or a loved one’s BPD treatment doesn’t seem to be helping, don’t give up. We are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about TMS at Neuro Wellness Spa.
Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics
BPD is more common than most people think. Roughly 1.6% of the population in the United States has borderline personality disorder. BPD patients make up 10% of all outpatient psychiatry patients, up to 20% of inpatient populations.
75% of all BPD patients have a history of self-harm, including intentional drug overdoses, cutting, and suicide attempts.
However – BPD is a treatable medical condition. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options for BPD.
Signs and Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is a complex and severe mental disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders 5thEdition (DMS-5), it is characterized by:
- Deep and intense emotions that are hard to control and may not be appropriate for the situation
- Frequent and extreme mood swings
- Impulsiveness to the point of being reckless or a danger to themselves
- Tendency towards dangerous activities
- Unstable interpersonal relationships
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Rapid changes of self-identity
- Disconnection from reality
- Feelings of emptiness
It is not uncommon for BPD patients to also experience severe depression and anxiety. BPD patients may struggle with intense feelings of anxiety and mistrust in relationships, both intimate and platonic. They may cycle through periods of being very withdrawn and overly involved. Those with BPD tend to form unstable but intense intimacies, which put them at a higher risk of being in a toxic or abusive relationship.
BPD can be hard to live with, and even harder to treat. If your loved one is struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder, contact us today to learn about TMS as a treatment option.
*TMS is FDA-cleared for depression, migraine, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, cigarette cessation, anxious depression, adolescent depression, and chronic post-traumatic/surgical pain. Research indicates that TMS to also be helpful for bipolar depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Other uses for TMS therapy are considered “off-label.” However, there is a growing body of research indicating the potential benefits of these off-label applications for a variety of mental health conditions. Please consult with a psychiatrist to learn more about TMS and off-label uses.
Conditions We Treat
- Depression
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Post-partum Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Substance Use Disorder/Addiction
- Eating Disorders
- Insomnia
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Cognitive Impairment
- Dementia
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Chronic Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue
- Stress/Burnout
Our Locations
Brea
FAQ – TMS & Anxiety
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Is TMS an Effective Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder?
Typical cases of BPD fall under the category of “treatment-resistant depression disorders”. This means that even with the very best care, traditional therapies have shown limited efficacy and many negative side effects.
TMS had been shown to boost the effectiveness of these treatments with almost no downside. Many patients at NWS experience a dramatic reduction in BPD symptoms.
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How Long Does It Take for TMS to Start Working?
This will vary from person to person. Everyone is different. Some of our patients experience relief after the first few treatments. Others don’t start to see results for a few weeks.
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Can TMS Exacerbate Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms?
TMS is not known to exacerbate any symptoms of BPD. It was well tolerated by patients in every case study. All clinical trials of TMS have shown it to have few, if any side effects. The most common side effect is a mild headache which can be avoided by taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen before a treatment.
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How Successful is TMS in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder?
TMS has been used successfully in a number of clinical trials since its development in 1985. It was approved for use by the FDA in 2008 and is now a ‘go-to’ resource for treatment-resistant mental health disorders.
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Why Use TMS to Treat Borderline Personality Disorder?
Traditionally BPD treatments involve psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and medication. However, most of the prescribed medications have a limited efficacy and are not meant to be taken over long periods of time. They can be highly addictive, have many unwanted side effects, and carry a high risk of suicide attempts via overdose.
TMS has been shown to boost efficacy of traditional treatments and offer real relief for those suffering from BPD symptoms.
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Are Other Therapies Recommended Alongside TMS Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder?
Yes. TMS is meant to supplement other therapies, not replace them. Our mental health professionals here at Neuro Wellness Spa work with you to find the right balance of treatments for your loved one’s condition.
