Alcohol and Suicidality: Can Deep TMS Treat It?

Alcohol and suicidality: could deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS) be a possible treatment?

Rapinesi C1, Kotzalidis GD, Scatena P, Del Casale A, Janiri D, Callovini G, Piacentino D, Serata D, Raccah RN, Brugnoli R, Digiacomantonio V, Mascioli F,Ferri VR, Ferracuti S, Pompili M, De Pisa E, Di Pietro S, Zangen A, Angeletti G, Girardi P., Psychiatr Danub. 2014 Sep;26(3):281-4.

A 56-year-old man experienced anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, suicidal thoughts and alcohol intake of up to 1.5 liters a day. In this case study, the patient received 20 sessions of BrainsWay® Deep TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) over a period of a month. After the 7th session, anxiety, panic-like symptoms and craving for drinking disappeared. After the 11th session, suicidal thoughts decreased, and after the final session the patient showed various improvements, including increased libido and decreased depressive symptoms. At the 6-month follow-up, he did not resume drinking, had no craving for alcohol and no suicidal thoughts.

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