TMS Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder in Los Angeles, CA

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.