Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

When trauma lingers, there’s a way forward.

Nightmares, flashbacks, feeling constantly on edge: when PTSD won’t loosen its grip, it can feel like there’s no way out. But you’re not alone, and there is real hope.

At BrainCare Performance Center Carlsbad, we offer MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) for PTSD: a personalized, non-invasive approach that uses your own brain data to guide care, so your plan fits your history, goals, and daily life.

What is PTSD?

PTSD can follow experiencing or witnessing trauma such as combat, accidents, assault, natural disasters, or ongoing abuse. It’s a treatable condition that affects how the brain processes threat and memory.

Common symptoms include:

• Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
• Hypervigilance, startle response, irritability
• Avoidance of reminders; emotional numbing
• Sleep problems, concentration difficulties
• Guilt, depression, or a sense of detachment

How do you treat PTSD at BrainCare Carlsbad?

We focus on MeRT and coordinate with your therapist/prescriber as needed. Your plan may include:

• MeRT as the primary neuromodulation option for PTSD
• Trauma-informed psychotherapy coordination (referrals available)
• Medication management with your prescribing provider, when appropriate

Note on availability & payment: For PTSD, MeRT is an emerging, data-guided therapy and is generally self-pay. We’ll review transparent pricing and financing options (e.g., CareCredit) before you start.

What is MeRT, exactly?

MeRT = three parts working together:

1. qEEG/EKG evaluation – a baseline brain-mapping and timing study to understand how your brain is communicating
2. Physician report & analysis – your clinician interprets the brain mapping results and explains what they mean for your symptoms
3. Individualized rTMS treatment plan – we then deliver personalized magnetic stimulation based on your data

In other words, MeRT uses qEEG/EKG to design a customized rTMS protocol that aims to restore healthier brain synchrony relevant to PTSD.

What happens during MeRT care?

1. MeRT evaluation

At your first visit we complete the qEEG/EKG that MeRT requires, gather history, and answer questions.

2. Results & plan

At your follow-up, we review your report and analysis together and outline your personalized stimulation plan.

3. Treatment in two-week blocks

Visits occur five days a week for two weeks. At the end of each block, we do a MeRT re-evaluation (repeat qEEG/EKG + symptom check). If your maps and daily functioning are improving, we continue in additional two-week intervals until you and your clinician are satisfied with progress.

What do MeRT treatment visits feel like?

You’ll sit comfortably while a small treatment coil rests on the scalp and delivers gentle magnetic pulses. Most people notice a tapping sensation and hear clicking sounds during short trains of stimulation. There’s no anesthesia and no downtime.

When might I notice improvements?

Timelines vary. Many patients first report changes in sleep quality, nightmares, or startle response, followed by shifts in mood, focus, and irritability over subsequent weeks. We track progress with your MeRT re-evaluations to guide next steps. (Results vary and aren’t guaranteed.)

Can MeRT help if I also have depression or anxiety?

Yes, co-occurring depression and anxiety are common with PTSD. Your plan can address these symptoms, and, with your permission, we’ll coordinate with your therapist and prescriber for well-rounded support.

Is MeRT safe? What about side effects?

MeRT is generally well-tolerated. The most common effects are temporary scalp discomfort or a mild headache, which typically fade over time. Your clinician will review safety considerations and rare risks before you begin.

A veteran’s perspective

“It was absolutely terrifying not to know what was wrong with me or how to fix the problem. This treatment not only identified the deteriorated state of my brainwave activity but also restored its function. I consider the healing I experienced to be nothing short of a miracle.” — U.S. Army Veteran suffering from PTSD

How do I get started?

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to talk with our New Patient Coordinator about PTSD treatment with MeRT.

We’ll review your goals, walk you through the MeRT evaluation, and help you decide if this personalized pathway is right for you. You don’t have to keep living this way. There’s a path forward, and we’re here to walk it with you.

📞 Contact Us today to speak with a member of our team.