It’s extremely common for people with depression to also struggle with insomnia. According to some sources, as much as 80% of individuals who struggle with depression also go through bouts of insomnia.You may find that your depression is making it difficult to sleep, or even that your lack of sleep is exacerbating your mental health issues. But no matter in which order your depression and insomnia arrived, improving both at the same time would be a great relief.
If you’ve been considering pursuing TMS treatment for depression, you may be wondering: Will TMS Help With Insomnia? While TMS hasn’t formally been used to directly treat insomnia, there is evidence that it might help relieve it.
If you think you have insomnia, there’s a good chance you do. Still, it’s good to know what specific symptoms go into an insomnia diagnosis.
Many people who have depression also experience insomnia. There are a few possible reasons for this connection, but for most people, several are likely at play.
There is clearly a link between depression and insomnia. But for people looking for relief from both, the all-important question is still: Will TMS help with insomnia, too, or just depression?
The research is still emerging, but it seems that TMS may actually help for insomnia.
According to a 2021 meta-analysis published in Sleep Medicine, TMS may improve sleep quality by increasing slow wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Another study found that sleep quality improved with TMS in conjunction with other depressive symptoms. Because poor sleep is a symptom of depression, the same mechanisms that make TMS a great treatment for depression may normalize sleep regulation in the brain.
More research needs to be performed to determine whether TMS is an adequate therapy for insomnia that presents without depression. But for those who suffer from insomnia as a symptom of depression, TMS might help.
But keep in mind, some patients find they experience increased grogginess while they’re undergoing TMS therapy. This is not a long-term issue – you’ll likely experience increased energy after TMS – but it might be frustrating for patients who are already struggling with their energy levels.
Sometimes though, this tiredness is actually a symptom of your sleep patterns normalizing. Your brain is relearning healthy patterns during TMS therapy, but the transition into standard sleep cycles can be a tough one.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for treating insomnia. Fortunately, you have many possible solutions at your disposal.
The gold standard of insomnia treatment is CBT-I. It’s a specialized talk therapy approach for insomnia that focuses on establishing healthy behavioral patterns and working through thought patterns that can ruin sleep.
While simply changing your behaviors doesn’t work for everyone, it’s a good place to start. You can try limiting screens shortly before bed, meditating, or enforcing a consistent bedtime to try and get into the habit of better sleep.
If your insomnia is severe, your doctor could prescribe you a medical sleep aid. While you likely want to introduce medication alongside CBT-I, medication can be an effective intervention against both chronic and acute insomnia.
There’s no reason to limit your focus to just treating insomnia or depression; you can treat them both at once. TMS is a non-invasive therapy that has major effects on depression symptoms for many people. It’s perfectly compatible with undergoing CBT-I or changing your lifestyle. At Advantage TMS, we’re happy to work with you as you undergo therapy.
If you’re concerned about how taking a new medication might affect your treatment course, simply talk to your provider about it. They will be able to work with you to figure out the right plan for both your depression and your insomnia.
Insomnia and depression have a lot in common, but the worst part might be that they both feel never-ending. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. You can get your sleep back, just as you can get your mental health to be manageable.
So, what’s the answer to “Will TMS Help with insomnia?” There’s a very good chance that it will, especially in patients already struggling with depression. If you’re interested in learning more about how to treat your depression with TMS and hopefully experience better sleep along the way, contact us for a free consultation. Our Advantage TMS team will be there to support you through all facets of your mental health journey.
Our office is closed December 25th for Christmas and January 1st for New Years Day. If you have any questions or urgent requests, please email us at info@advantagementalhealth.com.
Please fill out the form if you have a patient interested in learning more about TMS treatment. We appreciate the referral and partnership.
Next Steps:
• Our TMS Coordinator will contact the patient to schedule a complimentary information session.
• If the patient decides to seek TMS treatment with Advantage TMS, we will communicate with you when necessary and the patient will continue to work with you while receiving treatment.
Questions?
• Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 727-600-8093 or info@advantagementalhealth.com
