tDCS,
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
At Thriving Minds Mental Health Centre, we offer Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a revolutionary non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has shown tremendous promise in treating various mental health conditions. tDCS is gaining popularity due to its ability to enhance cognitive functions, improve mood, and help manage psychiatric disorders without the use of medications or invasive procedures
How Does it Work ?
tDCS works by delivering a low-level electrical current to specific areas of the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. This gentle current doesn’t cause any noticeable sensations but helps modulate brain activity, making certain regions more active or less active, depending on the treatment goal.
Here’s how tDCS helps:
- Balances Brain Activity: tDCS either excites or inhibits brain cells in targeted regions, helping to rebalance brain activity in people with conditions like depression, anxiety, or even cognitive issues.
- Boosts Neuroplasticity: It promotes neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new connections. This helps improve cognitive functioning, mood regulation, and emotional control over time.
- Alters Brain Circuits Safely: By gently modulating brain activity, tDCS can help normalize brain circuits responsible for attention, memory, mood, and behaviour without the need for medication or surgery.
Conditions Treated with tDCS
tDCS has proven efficacy in treating a variety of mental health conditions and cognitive impairments. Some of the conditions tDCS has shown to improve include:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic
- Stress Disorder (PTSD) Chronic Pain and Migraines
- Cognitive Disorders (e.g.,
- Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment) Schizophrenia (for cognitive and negative symptoms)
- Childhood Behavioural Disorders (including ADHD, emerging evidence supports its effectiveness in managing mood and behavioural issues in children)
Why Choose tDCS at Thriving Minds?
At Thriving Minds, we use tDCS as part of a holistic treatment approach to accelerate the recovery process in our patients. Here’s why it’s an essential tool:
- Fast-Acting Relief Without Medication: tDCS offers rapid improvements in mood and cognitive function, often faster than medications, and without the side effects that come with many psychiatric drugs.
- Safe During Pregnancy: tDCS is a safe option for pregnant women struggling with depression or anxiety, as it does not involve medications that could affect the baby.
- Maintenance and Long-Term Management: tDCS can be used as a maintenance treatment for people who have responded well to therapy and want to keep their symptoms in check long-term, helping to prevent relapse.
- Minimizes Medication Side Effects: Since tDCS is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment, it can reduce or eliminate the need for medications and their associated side effects, such as drowsiness, weight gain, or sexual dysfunction.
Myths and Facts
Myths
“ tDCS is
painful.”
Fact
rTMS is a non-invasive, painless procedure. Most patients only feel a tapping sensation on the scalp during treatment.
Myths
“ tDCS requires surgery ”
Fact
tDCS is non-invasive, meaning no surgery, no anesthesia, and no downtime. You can resume normal activities immediately after a session.
Myths
“tDCS is experimental.”
Fact
tDCS has been researched and used in clinical settings for many years. It has shown great promise and is becoming a widely accepted treatment for depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
Myths
“tDCS isn’t safe for everyone. ”
Fact
While no treatment is 100% effective for all, rTMS has been highly successful for treatment-resistant depression, offering significant relief for many individuals who haven’t responded to other methods.
Myths
“tDCS results are temporary”
Fact
tDCS enhances neuroplasticity, which can lead to long-lasting improvements in mood and cognitive function after a series of treatments.
Possible Side Effects of tDCS
- Slight scalp tingling or itching during the session
- Mild skin irritation where the electrodes are placed
- Transient headaches in some individuals
Why Choose tDCS at Thriving Minds?
At Thriving Minds Mental Health Centre, we are one of the first private setups in Uttarakhand to offer tDCS treatment. We provide personalized treatment plans designed to address each patient’s unique needs, ensuring that tDCS is integrated into a comprehensive care model that maximizes recovery. Whether you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, chronic anxiety, or cognitive difficulties, tDCS offers a non-invasive, drug-free option to support your mental health journey.
Ready to take control of your mental health? Contact us today at Thriving Minds Mental Health Centre to learn how tDCS can help you achieve faster recovery and long-term wellness. Book your consultation and experience one of the most advanced, effective treatments available in Uttarakhand!
We’ve helped millions feel better.
At Thriving Minds, we understand the importance of mental health and well-being. Thus, we believe in empowering our clients to reach their highest potential. Our team of experienced psychiatrist and psychologists are committed to providing the best care.
Dr. Smruti Pradhan
“Dr Ankita has helped me to live this life what I m living today. She is an amazing psychiatrist who will treat you without you even realising that you have being treated. I never hesitated to share anything with her during my therapy as I was very comfortable with her. Please feel free to consult her for your problem. I will always be thankful to her for whole of my life.”
Thriving Minds mental health Resource
At Thriving Minds, we understand the importance of mental health and well-being. Thus, we believe in empowering our clients to reach their highest potential. Our team of experienced psychiatrist and psychologists are committed to providing the best care.
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Different forms of treatments are used by psychiatrists as per the patient’s needs. It may be talk therapy or psychosocial intervention or medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy will usually involve the therapist and the patient talking between themselves. The aim is to limit the symptoms for the patient to feel better. The therapy can continue over some time depending on the patient’s symptoms. It can involve either the individual patient or even a group of people. Talk therapy can be in many forms; such as helping the patient with a behavioral change; overcoming the effects of difficult relationships; etc. Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders and other emotional troubles, use various types of medications to treat the symptoms. The process of it is not fully known but it may alter the brain’s chemical signalling. This will help control the symptoms. Patients undergoing long-term treatment will need to visit at regular intervals to monitor the changes. Psychiatrists also perform various interventional procedures like ECT, rTMS, tDCS, Ketamine Infusion etc. to alleviate symptoms and hasten recovery.
Mental disorder treatments depend upon the severity of the issue; such as the intensity of the problems faced; the pros and cons associated with a treatment; etc. The treatment is done by making a personalized and careful plan for the patient. This includes a collaboration between the patient and the physician. Most treatments include having psychotherapy sessions; medications; etc. Also; a good support system is paramount to the recovery of the person. Changes in lifestyle; such as daily exercise; adequate sleep; proper balanced diet can help the person recover quickly. The individualized treatment plan will involve all these steps to make a quick recovery. Doctors and therapists help out the person and their families in understanding their metal disorder and the ways to battle it out.
According to scientific studies; psychotherapy relieves the person from distress and helps them in living a better life. Approximately 75% of people who have undergone psychotherapy have felt better. It has been associated with influencing positive changes within the body and has shown significant progress in emotional and mental wellness. Psychotherapy also shows that people undergoing it take fewer sick leaves; experience fewer medical problems and report a satisfaction in their life and work. Today; techniques like brain imaging have shown that psychotherapy induces a change in the brain. This altered brain images are similar to changes that happen as a result of medications. It is important to know that to benefit from psychotherapy; one needs to be honest and insistent upon following their treatment plans. Sometimes; practices such as; journal writing may also be of help.
Telepsychiatry is a convenient option for many to seek easier to access and affordable options. It helps the patients by- Making health care accessible in regions where it is not easily provided. Taking the care facility to the patient’s home virtually. Limiting the needs to visit a doctor over long distance. Timely health care options. Continuous improvement in health care with virtual follow ups. Reducing the need to take leave from work or other services. Removing the obstacles to stigma associated with mental health. Allowing privacy and safety to many. Many people are comfortable in virtual set-ups rather than real time meetings. This will allow them to open up more and feel relaxed. Telepsychiatry has been a major way of seeking help; especially during Covid-19 pandemic.
