Other Treatments for Mental Disorders

In addition to medication, psychotherapy and psychosocial treatments, several types of brain stimulation therapies are valuable tools for managing and treating some mental disorders. These interventions involve touching or activating the brain using electricity, magnets or implants. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most researched and effective stimulation therapy, and has the longest history of use. Two other stimulation therapies – repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and biofeedback – are other helpful strategies used for treatment.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which a brief application of electric stimulus is used to produce a generalized seizure. The seizure causes activation of neurons throughout the brain, which appears to produce many changes in its chemistry and functioning. These actions can result in reduced symptoms of mental illness. In some illnesses, ECT can be up to 90 percent effective in reducing the severity of symptoms. 

First developed in 1938, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is usually only considered for individuals who require immediate treatment, who cannot be treated with psychiatric medications, or who have not responded to other psychiatric treatments, such as medication and/or psychotherapy. ECT is particularly valuable in the treatment of severe depression, depression with psychosis, bipolar disorder and some forms of schizophrenia. It may be used in life-threatening circumstances, because it works significantly faster than other therapies. These may involve patients who are suicidal, malnourished as a result of severe depression, or unable to move or respond to the outside world (e.g., catatonic). For some patients who do not improve after multiple medication treatments, ECT may be the only treatment that effectively controls their symptoms. 

Today, electroconvulsive therapy is administered to an estimated 100,000 people a year, primarily in general hospital psychiatric units and in psychiatric hospitals. Although “shock therapy” once had a bad reputation, itis one of the most studied and most effective treatments for specific severe mental illnesses. ECT is a relatively safe procedure that is only performed under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals. However, ECT does come with some risks, including those associated with the procedure and problems with memory that may continue after the treatments end. The cognitive and memory side effects of ECT are usually not permanent, but all of the issues should be discussed with the patient’s psychiatrist.

Before ECT is administered by a trained physician, the patient is sedated with general anesthesia and given a muscle relaxant to prevent movement during the procedure. Electrodes are placed at precise locations on the head. Through the electrodes, an electric current passes through the brain, causing a seizure that lasts generally less than one minute. Unilateral ECT, in which the electrodes are placed on just one side of the head, appears less likely to cause memory problems and therefore is preferred by many doctors.

Five to ten minutes after the procedure ends, the patient awakens without memory of events surrounding the treatment.  Because the patient is under anesthesia and has taken a muscle relaxant, the patient's body shows no signs of seizure, nor does he or she feel any pain. After about an hour, the patient usually is alert and can resume normal activities. Some people who are treated with ECT may begin to feel better within one week of beginning their treatment. 

Depending on their illness, most people will have between four and six treatments before their symptoms show significant improvement. Most patients will continue to have regular treatments until their symptoms are significantly decreased. After that, some patients will need maintenance ECT treatments on a less frequent schedule (ranging from once per week to once every few months) to minimize the chance of symptoms reappearing. Frequently, patients who undergo ECT will remain on medication after the ECT treatments to reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses a magnet instead of an electrical current to activate the brain. First developed in 1985, rTMS has been studied since the mid-1990s as a treatment for depression, psychosis and other disorders. In October 2008, a specific device that performs TMS, the NeuroStar, was cleared by the FDA for clinical use in treatment-resistant depression. rTMS is not indicated for individuals who have bipolar disorder, depression with psychosis, or individuals with a high risk of suicide. It cannot be used for patients who have medical devices such as pacemakers and metal implants.

Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which electrical stimulation is more generalized, rTMS can be targeted to a specific site in the brain. The underlying theory is that the resulting electrical currents activate neurotransmitters believed to influence the symptoms of depression, namely serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

A typical rTMS session is conducted in an outpatient office and lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Most commonly, patients will undergo the procedure daily for four to six weeks. TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation and has no systemic side effects. An electromagnetic coil is held against the forehead near the area of the brain thought to be involved in mood regulation. Then, short electromagnetic pulses are administered through the coil. The magnetic pulse easily passes through the skull, and causes small electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells in the targeted brain region – about two inches deep. The magnetic field is about the same strength as that of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Generally, the person will feel a slight knocking or tapping on the head as the pulses are administered.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback, a form of brain wave feedback or applied psychophysiological feedback, can be another helpful tool in treating a variety of psychiatric conditions. It is most commonly employed for relief of anxiety. By visibly demonstrating the connection between thoughts and feelings, biofeedback helps people become more aware of their bodies’ responses when they are stressed and anxious. Then, they can learn to control how they respond to those feelings.

A patient-guided treatment, biofeedback teaches an individual to control muscle tension, pain, body temperature, brain waves, and other bodily functions and processes through relaxation, visualization and other cognitive control techniques. The name biofeedback refers to the biological signals that are fed back, or returned, to the patient in order for the patient to develop techniques of manipulating them.

Biofeedback therapy incorporates several different relaxation exercises. These include:

  • Deep breathing
  • Guided imagery – focusing intently on a particular image to redirect the mind and release stress
  • Sequential muscle relaxation -- tightening then relaxing specific muscle groups in order
  • Mindfulness meditation – focusing thoughts and letting go of negative emotions 

Most often, biofeedback is just one part of a comprehensive treatment program for mental disorders.

 

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Mental Health America

 

Helpful links:

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/biofeedback-and-anxiety#sthash.kWVjwT6A.dpuf

http://www.nami.org/factsheets/ECT_factsheet.pdf

http://www.nami.org/factsheets/TMS_factsheet.pdf

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/ect

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies.shtml