-->

How Do I Deal with Anxiety?

Does your heart start to race when you’re in stressful situations? Or do your thoughts start to race and your palms get sweaty when you’re in certain situations or facing specific tasks? That’s anxiety. Everyone has different triggers that create feelings of anxiety, but recognizing them is the first step in how to deal with anxiety.

However, recognizing and understanding these triggers can take some time. Luckily, you can do a few things to calm or ease anxious feelings and stop them from taking over. We’ll review 10 tips for dealing with anxiety below.

Stay in the Present

It’s easy to get caught up worrying about the future, but keep yourself in the present situation. Ask yourself: Am I safe? Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? If you are, stay focused on that. Focusing on the present takes practice, but with time, you’ll learn to stop those distant scenarios from throwing you off track.

Deep Breathing

Rapid, shallow breathing is a natural reaction to anxiety. Continuing to breathe this way can worsen feelings of anxiety, so practice taking slow, deep breaths. Breathe in for four counts, then out for four counts; do this for a total of five minutes. Slowing down your breath helps to slow your heart rate, which reduces your anxiety.

Exercise

Whether you go for a run, lift some weights, or do some sit-ups in your living room, exercise helps to release some of the tension you’re holding in your body. Plus, it can help distract you from anxious thoughts.

Avoid Sugar

Stress eating is a common way to deal with anxiety. You’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, so you may think a candy bar or a bowl of ice cream will help you feel better. However, sugar has been found to exacerbate anxious feelings. When you’re feeling anxious, try drinking a glass of water or eating a piece of fruit. Healthy foods provide slow energy that helps your body recover from anxiety.

Check Your Thoughts

Many anxiety sufferers fixate on worst-case scenarios. If you’re someone whose thoughts always turn negative, stop and think about how realistic they are. For example, if you’re nervous about your first day at a new job, instead of thinking, “I’m not going to do well,” say: “They chose me for this job and I know I’m qualified for it.”

Call a Loved One

Pick up the phone and text or call a friend or family member. Explaining what you’re feeling can help you recognize that you’re experiencing anxiety and pinpoint the source. Writing your worries and fears down can also help.

Do Something

When you feel those anxious thoughts start to take over, do something. Throw away that piece of paper on your desk, stand up and walk around, grab a healthy snack—anything that forces your brain to focus on something else.

Laugh

A great way to deal with anxiety is to laugh. Watch a funny YouTube video, read a joke of the day online, or listen to a humorous podcast. Laughter goes a long way toward dispelling those anxious thoughts.

Organize

Clutter and poor organization can be a major source of anxiety for some. Creating a to-do list, organizing your workspace, or decluttering your room can help you feel more in control and relaxed.

Talk to a Professional at TMS Clinics of Canada

If your anxiety is severe enough that natural coping mechanisms aren’t working, you may need to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. TMS Clinics of Canada can connect you with the resources you need to learn how to deal with anxiety by identifying your triggers and managing them. We also provide options for treatment-resistant depression. Start living a happier life by taking our free assessment.

Click here to take our self assessment test or request a complimentary consultation today by clicking here.

-->

The Difference Between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health issues. While these two terms come up frequently in casual conversations, some people struggle to distinguish between the two conditions. There are major differences between anxiety and depression and each one has very different symptoms. However, it’s not uncommon for those who suffer from anxiety to also experience depression and vice versa. Below, we’ll explore those differences in more detail to help you determine which condition you or a loved one is struggling with.

What Is Anxiety?

While occasional anxiety is a general part of life, an anxiety disorder goes far beyond temporary worry or fear. People who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience continuous stress or worry, which can get worse over time or be triggered by external factors. Anxiety may revolve around a number of things such as work, social interactions, and everyday circumstances.

The Public Health Agency of Canada lists symptoms of generalized anxiety as:

Feeling restless or wound up
Becoming easily tired
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Uncontrollable feelings of worry
Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

Many of these symptoms interfere with a person’s daily activities such as their schoolwork, job performance, household responsibilities, and relationships.

What Is Depression?

Similar to anxiety, depression also negatively affects your mood. However, depression creates feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. While it is common to experience these feelings every now and then, depression is something that lasts longer than two weeks and significantly impacts how you function. The Public Health Agency of Canada lists depression symptoms as:

Feelings of sadness
Loss of interest in daily activities or activities once enjoyed
Appetite changes
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Low energy
Purposeless physical activity such as pacing, hand wringing, or leg shaking
Slow movements and speech
Feeling worthless
Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression symptoms will vary from person to person. Some may experience all these symptoms while others may experience a few. The duration of these symptoms will vary for each individual as well.

Key Differences

The biggest difference between anxiety and depression lies within their definition. Depression is considered a mood disorder while anxiety is not. Anxiety leads to feelings of hopelessness, fear, or stress but it does not create the prolonged low moods associated with depression.

As shown in the information above, the symptoms of each disorder are vastly different. Nonetheless, the standard treatment of these disorders is somewhat similar, at least in the big picture. Both are treated using a combination of medication, counseling, and other mental health therapies. However, mental health professionals help those struggling with anxiety manage and control their symptoms and typically end treatment after a few months.

Those struggling with depression may need longer treatment to help manage their feelings of worthlessness or suicidal thoughts. People who do not respond to standard medications and treatments may see results with TMS.

Contact TMS Clinics of Canada to Help You Move Towards Recovery

Whether you suffer from clinical depression or anxiety, or some measure of both, TMS Clinics of Canada can help screen you and provide treatment options. Take our free assessment today to begin your journey.

-->

How to Explain Anxiety

Anxiety is complicated. It manifests itself differently in everyone. For some, it affects their physical health and creates overwhelming feelings of energy or restlessness. Others may feel emotionally drained, and some may not even notice these feelings. Because it manifests so differently from person to person, it can be difficult explaining anxiety to others. Below, we’ll discuss how to explain anxiety in a way that accurately represents how you’re feeling and what you may need in terms of support.

Explain Your Physical Symptoms

One of the first steps to explaining anxiety to others is to describe what it feels like physically. As anxiety levels rise, that tension stores itself throughout the body and creates physical reactions such as:

Racing heart
Sweating
Muscle stiffness
Trembling or shaking
Headaches
Chest tightness
Stomachaches
Fatigue

When these symptoms flare up, it can feel like you can’t breathe, think straight, or see clearly. These feelings may worsen as the symptoms themselves can trigger additional anxiety, sending you into a vicious spiral.

It’s important to explain to your friends and family the specific physical reactions you have. For example, you could say: “When I get anxiety, I get really restless, my heart starts to pound, and I feel shaky.” Helping your loved ones recognize your physical symptoms can help them understand how to support you.

Talk about Your Emotions and Triggers

While anxiety itself is a feeling, it also produces a whole storm of other emotions. Some of the most common include:

Nervousness
Feeling overwhelmed
Worry
Fear or terror
Uneasiness
Jumpiness
Feeling on edge
Dread
Distress
Apprehension

Depending on how high your anxiety is, you may not be able to pinpoint what you’re feeling. However, attempting to explain your emotions can help your family and friends better understand your anxiety.

Equally important is to explain what, if any, triggers you have. For example, if your anxiety always rises when you fly or are in social situations, communicate that to your loved ones. Helping them know what causes your anxiety to rise can ensure you’re not put into those situations—or help you all plan ahead for situations you know will be difficult.

Talk about Treatment

When you’re explaining anxiety to others, and you feel comfortable doing so, talk about treatment options or coping mechanisms that work for you. Not only will this educate them on the type of support you need, but it will also show it’s not something you just “get over.”

For example, if you’re taking medication to manage anxiety, you could explain: “I’m taking an antidepressant which helps me to keep my anxiety symptoms under control.” If you’re in therapy, you could say: “I see a therapist regularly who helps me to understand my triggers and how to manage them.”

Finally, if you feel comfortable, explain what you need from your loved ones when you feel anxious. For some, physical touch can help ease physical symptoms, while others benefit from talking about their feelings. Knowing what you need can help them know how to better support you on the days your anxiety is really high.

Get Help from TMS Clinics of Canada

If you’ve been struggling to manage your anxiety, TMS Clinics of Canada can help. Each of our well-trained staff members is highly trained to help you not only recognize your triggers but manage them. We also offer treatment options for people who have not had success with therapy or medication. Take our free assessment today so you can start living a happier, worry-free life.

Click here to take our self assessment test or request a complimentary consultation today by clicking here.

-->

Where Can I Get TMS Treatment?

Studies and statistics from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health indicate that annually, one in five Canadians experience a mental health disorder or problem with addiction and that by the time Canadians reach the age of 40, one in two have, or have had, a mental illness.

Many people struggling with various mental health conditions are treated with antidepressant pharmaceuticals, but these drugs can have negative side effects like headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, restlessness, and sexual problems. For some patients, antidepressants don’t work. Enter TMS: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

What is TMS Treatment?

TMS is a non-invasive treatment of the areas of the brain involved in mood control. It is sometimes referred to as dTMS (Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) or rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).

Recurring magnetic pulses are transmitted by a helmet worn by the patient. These painless pulses stimulate brain cells to improve communication between different parts of the brain. Some of the variables considered in TMS are:

MT Level (Motor Threshold)
Pulses per Second
Stimulation Time
Interval
Number of Pulses
Percentage of MT

Results evolve over a series of several sessions, with noticeable improvement usually after four weeks but sometimes sooner.

What Can TMS Treatment Be Used For?

At this time in Canada, TMS treatment is only approved for treatment-resistant major depressive episodes and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). With the continued successful use of TMS, it is hoped that one day Canada will follow the lead of many European countries and approve TMS for the treatment of:

Post-stroke Rehabilitation
Schizophrenia
Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Chronic Pain
Addictions

Where Can I Get TMS Treatment?

TMS treatment is usually performed at a hospital, medical center, doctor’s office, or clinic. For optimal results, it is best to choose a clinic that specializes in TMS treatment.

What Is the Cost of TMS Treatment?

Being that OHIP does not cover TMS at this time, it can be costly to undergo a full course of TMS treatment. Many extended health plans help cover the cost in whole or in part. Cost per session ranges between $150 – $300

What Does TMS Treatment Feel Like?

You may feel a slight tapping sensation on your scalp, but most people feel nothing at all. If you feel any discomfort, tell your technician, and they will adjust the settings.

Do I Need a Prescription for TMS Treatment?

TMS Clinics are trained to assess patients for treatment and determine the course of treatment. No prescription is necessary, though the TMS provider may collaborate with your doctor to coordinate your care.

Does TMS Really Work?

More than 70% of people struggling with treatment-resistant major depressive episodes experience a meaningful response from TMS. Nearly half of patients treated with TMS experience full remission.

Relieve Your Depression with TMS

To get more information about TMS treatment and find out if it is the treatment for you, book a complimentary consultation today.

-->

Does TMS Therapy Work?

Yes, TMS therapy works extremely well. Over 20 randomized, controlled trials have found TMS therapy to work as an effective treatment for major depression.

When treated by a qualified TMS technician, TMS therapy patients enjoy a 66% remission rate for symptoms of major depressive disorder. This is the case even if a patient’s depression has been resistant to antidepressant medication.

TMS Therapy Success Rate

The TMS therapy success rate is 66% for entering remission from major depressive disorder symptoms. This TMS therapy rate includes patients who have tried and failed to receive benefit from prescription antidepressants.

What does remission mean when it comes to depression? It refers to symptoms going away completely. However, there is always the possibility for a recurrence of symptoms sometime down the road after TMS therapy. The average length of remission is over one year, but many patients continue to show improvements for far longer. Often patients seek subsequent rounds of treatment because of the great improvement in quality of life enjoyed while in remission.

How Does TMS Therapy Work?

TMS Therapy works by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to specific nerve cells in the brain from which depression symptoms arise. This is done by placing a helmet containing electrical coils on the head. The coils produce rapidly changing magnetic pulses and charges to penetrate the skull and “excite” the brain’s nerve cells in a repetitive and rhythmic frequency.

Here is how the process of undergoing TMS therapy works:

A patient has a consultation at a TMS clinic to determine if TMS treatment is a good option for their specific case. Alternately, an individual may take an online self-assessment test.
A course of treatment is prescribed by a specialized doctor and will include the exact area of the brain to target and the ideal stimulation intensity.
During therapy treatment, a helmet is placed on the patient’s head and adjusted per their prescription.
The patient may feel “tapping” or mild discomfort at the site of stimulation and possibly some mild headache symptoms after treatment ends.
Generally, a patient can expect five 20-50 minute sessions a week for 2-6 weeks.

TMS therapy does not require anesthesia. It is a non-invasive, drugless solution to resistant cases of depression. With TMS therapy, patients endure none of the side effects of antidepressant medication such as insomnia, weight gain, nausea, and sexual dysfunction.

Call for Your Free Consultation

Depression is a serious medical illness that can severely affect a person’s confidence, motivation, and interest in living life by suffering through frequent feelings of intense sadness, anxiety, guilt, fear, and emptiness. Results of suffering from depression include irritability, disturbed sleep, and strained relationships.

Sometimes psychotherapy and medication can help, but when they don’t, it’s time to consider whether TMS therapy will work for you.

Book a complimentary consultation today with TMS Clinics of Canada and get on the road to remission!

-->

A Look at the Pros and Cons of TMS Therapy

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-intrusive, non-medication treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. This form of therapy uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in efforts to improve symptoms associated with mental health.

For those who haven’t found success in medications or just want to try a prescription-free route, TMS therapy might be the right path to venture on next. Before deciding whether TMS is right for you, consider some pros and cons of TMS therapy.

Pros of TMS

1. Outpatient Treatment

Because TMS therapy only requires outpatient treatment, you can maintain your daily routine and tend to your weekly obligations without significant disruption. Treatment often involves five weekly appointments. For the treatment, you’ll visit the office five days a week for quick appointments, then you can carry on with the rest of your day without any side effects.

2. High Success Rates

Harvard Health Blog reports, “Approximately 50% to 60% of people with depression who have tried and failed to receive benefit from medications experience a clinically meaningful response with TMS.” And after reviewing studies of TMS’s effectiveness, the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) updated its guidelines for treating adults with major depressive disorder, making rTMS “a first-line recommendation for patients with MDD who have failed at least 1 antidepressant.”

3. No Medications Needed

No prescription drugs need to be taken with TMS therapy, so you won’t have to endure any of the common side effects of medication, such as weight gain, stomach issues, memory loss, fatigue, or a decreased sex drive.

4. Non-Invasive

Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS treatments don’t require sedation or any other types of medication, such as pain relievers, to administer. Even antidepressant medications, which must be digested through the GI system, are more intrusive than TMS therapy.

Cons of TMS

1. Time Commitment

While appointments are short, you may need to attend five appointments a week for six weeks to reap the full benefits of TMS treatment. However, the minimal time spent at each appointment allows you the flexibility to schedule them at a time that works with your daily schedule.

2. Availability

TMS therapy is a relatively new type of treatment, so there aren’t many offices offering the treatment. Because of this, appointments can book up quickly, and there could be a waiting period to get your first appointment.

3. Scalp Discomfort

It’s moderately common for patients to experience very mild scalp discomfort during their first TMS treatment appointment. However, this discomfort tends to go away after a few treatments.

4. Costly without Insurance

Though most extended health plans will help cover TMS therapy. It can be quite costly for those without extended coverage.

5. Low Risk of Seizures

Although the risk for seizures is very low, with NCBI reporting <.02/1000 sessions, it’s important to note that the risk still exists. If you have a history of seizures, it’s smart to talk to your doctor before starting TMS treatment.

Summary

While there are risks associated with TMS, the possible rewards are equal to, if not greater than, the risks. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons of TMS therapy and think it might be the right fit, don’t wait another day to get the relief you deserve to start living a life you love. Get a free consultation from TMS Clinics of Canada today!