TMS Therapy
Finding the most effective treatment for a mental health condition looks different for everyone. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is a non-drug, non-invasive treatment offering hope to those whose conditions are not well-managed with medication alone.
Our highly trained, compassionate clinicians are here to help.
Finding a mental health treatment that addresses disruptive symptoms is a challenge that countless people and their mental health care providers face. Depression alone impacts more than 280 million people worldwide – and each of those cases is unique, which means that different treatments will be more successful for different people.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is an FDA-approved mental health treatment for depression and other brain health issues. Not only has TMS therapy given hope to people whose depression symptoms have not responded to medication, it has also been used to help countless people overcome severe anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and other conditions.
At Transformations Care Network, we believe that this innovative therapy is the future of brain health. If you or someone you care about is suffering from treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or another brain health condition, you are not alone. Keep reading to learn more about:
- What is TMS therapy?
- What does TMS therapy treat?
- What are common side effects of TMS therapy?
- How effective is TMS therapy?
- What happens during a TMS therapy session?
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s free, confidential, 24/7 national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for immediate assistance.
What is TMS therapy?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a safe, effective mental health treatment that is FDA-approved to treat certain mental and brain health conditions. TMS therapy uses magnetic pulses – similar to the magnetic pulses used in an MRI machine – to stimulate specific parts of the brain, encouraging the brain to form new neural connections.
It’s important to note that TMS therapy is not the same as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT or “electroshock” therapy). TMS therapy uses magnetic pulses rather than electrical currents. It is a non-invasive, non-drug, and virtually pain free treatment option.
What does TMS therapy treat?
This innovative mental health treatment has been FDA-approved to treat a number of conditions, and ongoing research efforts are underway to investigate its effectiveness in treating other conditions as well. TMS therapy may be helpful in treating:
- Depression
- OCD
- Anxiety
- PTSD
Depression
Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. Even so, finding the right treatment or combination of treatments to adequately address depression symptoms may be a challenge. As many as two-thirds of people seeking treatment for depression do not achieve adequate relief from the first medication they are prescribed.
TMS therapy is an FDA-approved therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Dozens of studies have recommended TMS therapy as a safe and effective treatment option for depression. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy, one of the leading providers in TMS technology, estimates that 7 in 10 patients respond to TMS therapy for depression, with 5 in 10 patients achieving full remission of their depression symptoms.
Learn more about depression causes, symptoms, and treatments >>
OCD
TMS therapy has also been studied extensively as a treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The FDA approved TMS therapy as a safe and effective treatment for OCD in 2018. Studies have found that 72% of individuals with OCD respond to TMS treatment, with 52% achieving lasting relief from symptoms.
Learn more about OCD causes, symptoms, and treatments >>
Anxiety
TMS therapy may also provide relief of anxiety symptoms. As of 2021, the FDA has cleared TMS therapy for the treatment of Anxious Depression, or depression with comorbid anxiety.
Learn more about anxiety causes, symptoms, and treatments >>
What are common side effects of TMS therapy?
Many mental health treatments come with a variety of side effects. One of the factors that makes TMS therapy an attractive option for people seeking mental health treatment is that the side effects of TMS therapy are typically mild, particularly compared to other medication-based mental health treatments.
Common side effects of TMS therapy include:
- Headache
- Scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation
- Tingling facial muscles
- Lightheadedness
How effective is TMS therapy?
TMS therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for a number of mental health conditions. Studies suggest that approximately 7 in 10 patients respond to TMS therapy, and 5 in 10 patients are able to achieve long-lasting relief from their symptoms.
Research on the efficacy of TMS therapy as a treatment for different conditions is ongoing.
What happens during a TMS therapy session?
Before beginning TMS treatment, a doctor will screen your overall health as well as develop a treatment plan. A typical TMS treatment plan may include in-office TMS treatment 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks. Individual TMS treatment sessions last from 19-37 minutes.
Before your TMS session, you will check in with office staff. In the exam room, you will recline in a comfortable treatment chair as the small, curved magnetic coil used to administer TMS therapy is placed against your head.
During TMS therapy, you will receive focused magnetic stimulation to the target areas of your brain. You will hear a clicking sound and may feel a light tapping against your head during the session, but this should not be painful.
After TMS therapy, you can be on your way and resume your normal daily activities. TMS does not affect your memory or alertness, so it’s safe to drive yourself home.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is one of many life changing mental health services we bring to our communities.
At Transformations Care Network, we are dedicated to helping people in our communities access life-changing mental health care. If you believe that you or someone you care about could be a good candidate for TMS therapy, contact us today to start developing a personalized treatment plan with one of our compassionate care providers.
