Prolonged stress: Should or should not transcranial magnetic stimulation be performed?

Should prolonged stress induce transcranial magnetic stimulation? I am often stressed, have difficulty relaxing, and lose sleep, causing my body to feel tired for a long time. Should transcranial magnetic stimulation be treated? (Anh Thu, Ho Chi Minh City) Answer: Prolonged stress not only makes the body tired but can also affect brain activity. When constantly under pressure, the brain must maintain a state of alertness for a long time, making it difficult for the patient to relax, irritable, less focused, and insomniac. If this condition persists, it increases the risk of anxiety disorders and reduces sleep quality. Then, in addition to medication and psychotherapy, doctors may prescribe transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to regulate brain activity. rTMS uses magnetic pulses to directly impact areas of the brain related to emotions, sleep, and stress control. Magnetic field pulses help regulate the activity of nerve cells, thereby helping to improve symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and decreased interest. At Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, patients are applied rTMS with an individualized regimen, the doctor determines the brain area that needs stimulation and adjusts the appropriate parameters for each case. The method does not require surgery, does not require anesthesia, the patient is awake throughout the process, and can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment session. Each rTMS session usually lasts about 20-40 minutes. The patient sits comfortably while the doctor places the stimulation coil at the location that needs treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can be used alone or in combination with medication or psychotherapy in appropriate cases. Side effects are usually mild and transient, mainly headaches or mild discomfort in the scalp area. However, not every stressful situation requires rTMS. You should see a neurologist to determine the cause, level of stress and accompanying disorders. From there, the doctor develops an appropriate treatment plan. Besides professional treatment, you should get enough sleep, exercise regularly, limit caffeine and spend time relaxing to help reduce stress and reduce pressure on the nervous system. When properly detected and intervened, stress, anxiety disorders and related problems can be controlled, contributing to improved sleep and quality of life. BS.CKI Nguyen Phuong Trang Head of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Unit, Neuroscience Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City