Published in The Telegraph on March 22, 2009:
Doctor offers new treatment
By RACHEL MARRS
GODFREY - A Godfrey physician has begun
work with a non-invasive, drug-free treatment
for depression, anxiety, insomnia and drug
addiction.
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation often is
referred to as Alpha-Stim, which is a type of
treatment that leaves the mind alert.
"Medications and, sometimes, psychotherapy are usually what psychiatrists use
to treat their patients," Dr. Jeanie M. Thompson said. "We didn't learn about
cranial electrotherapy stimulation in medical school. It is a cutting-edge, very
effective treatment. The side effects of medications are avoided."
During the treatment, the patient wears a small, lightweight device, usually for 20
minutes a day, a few days a week. This delivers a small electrical current through
ear clips.
"One usually feels a little tingling as the current is delivered, but it is not
unpleasant or uncomfortable," Thompson said. "This results in an increase of the
brain's levels of certain brain chemicals and leads to a release of endorphins, or
chemicals associated with a feeling of well-being."
The treatment also leads to a decrease in the level of a chemical associated with
stress.
When the treatment is effective, patients are in an alert yet relaxed state. The
treatment pushes the brain into a state of alpha rhythm, which is the state of calm
alert.
"Alpha rhythm is the state that the brain is in when a person is being creative, like when
an artist is lost in his or her brushstrokes, or a musician is absorbed in composing or
playing beautiful music," Thompson said. "So, Alpha-Stim, like music, art and beauty, is
healing in the way that it acts on the brain."
Thompson has been practicing psychiatry for 15 years and has been in a private
practice in Godfrey since 2001. After medical school, Thompson did a residency in
psychiatry and a fellowship in child psychiatry. She also trained to be a psychoanalyst at
the world-renowned Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kan.
"My choice of psychiatry as my specialty and child psychiatry as my sub-specialty
reflects how much I enjoy getting to know people and the unique paths their lives have
taken," Thompson said. "My use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation has been based on
my personal goal to help people feel better using the least invasive, safest and most
effective treatment available."
Alpha-Stim can be used safely on both adults and children. It also is being used by some
veterinarians to treat animals, especially for pain control.
"I have been using it more with teens, but not as much with young children yet,"
Thompson said. "But it could be very helpful to young children, as well."
Thompson has been using Alpha-Stim on her patients for a few months. "I started using it when a respected colleague of mine called me to tell me about the
great results she had seen from using Alpha-Stim in her patients," Thompson said. "I
feel so grateful that she shared her experience with me, because Alpha-Stim has helped
a lot of my patients. It seems to be even more effective than medications for most
patients, and it is also much more cost-effective."
Thompson has been amazed at how effective the product has been for her patients. "People who haven't slept well in a long time now can get a good night's sleep," she
said. "It also has been a great help to my patients with anxiety, and it can nip a panic
attack in the bud, before it takes on a life of its own."
Thompson said nearly everyone who uses the treatment regularly reports an
improvement in mood and an overall feeling of well-being.
Some of Thompson's patients even have been able to get off of their medications. "Alpha-Stim is the most impressive treatment I've seen in psychiatry since I started
practicing 15 years ago," Thompson said.
To reach the doctor, call (618) 467-3277.
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The Telegraph, founded on Jan. 17, 1836, is a daily newspaper that covers an area spanning five counties in Illinois –
Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin and Greene. The Telegraph is a Freedom Communications, Inc. newspaper.
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The Telegraph/JIM BOWLING
Dr. Jeanie Thompson, a Godfrey
psychiatrist, has found success in treating patients with cranial electrotherapy stimulation, using a device called Alpha- Stim that attaches to the ears.
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