Are we restricting our use of TMS too much? Is it too narrow to just be treating unipolar and mildly bipolar patients?

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Robert D McMullen

TMS Brain Care, USA

: J Spine Neurosurg

Abstract

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Jonathan Downar pointed out that occasionally we have a most surprising total remission, occurring in a patient who has most intractable and multiple psychiatric disorders. It never would occur to anyone, including the TMS practitioner, that this person could become completely normal. These people are sometimes ultra-rapid cycling, or have massive multiple severe anxiety disorders, etc. Another group we may be overlooking patients with Bipolar I Disorder, including those who are rapid cycling and including those who are manic, and even chronically manic. Another thing that Jonathan Downar pointed out is that patients with depression who have no cognitive distortions are nonresponders to TMS. These people do not have low self-esteem, they do not have excessive guilt, and they do not have an even mildly distorted view of the world or of their family.

Biography

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Robert D. McMullen is a psychiatrist and specialist in treating depression. He is based out of New York City, where he also did his residency at Columbia University after graduating from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. He has been practicing in the USA for more than 30 years. He has been practicing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a method used to treat a major depressive disorder, since 2010.

E-mail: rmcmullenofc@tmsbraincare.com