TMS FOR DEPRESSION

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation For Depression

Tampa, FL's Leading Depression Treatment Specialist ✔

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS Therapy for depression is a new treatment that is highly effective in treating depression. The procedure involves applying magnetic currents through magnetic coils on the scalp, which stimulates nerve cells in the brain and affects mood. This blog post will review what this therapy entails and how it works to make an informed decision about whether it is right for you!


Click here to learn more about how TMS therapy works

Overview of TMS Therapy

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a technique that uses magnetism to stimulate brain cells and alleviate depression symptoms. This treatment doesn't typically involve sedation or anesthesia but instead focuses on using targeted magnetic pulses to target the areas of the brain where symptoms can be treated.

How TMS works

When a TMS treatment is given, an electromagnet induces a magnetic pulse in the brain by gently stimulating nerve cells that have been affected by depression. It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity due to depression and improve mood.


While the reason rTMS has such a positive effect is not fully understood, it appears to change the way your brain's working, which in turn can lead to remission of depressive symptoms and overall relief.


There are different ways to perform TMS, and often the techniques will change as experts learn more about how they should be done.


Learn more about types of TMS protocols.

Why TMS is done

Depression is a common mental health condition that can be effectively treated through counseling or medication. For some, these treatments don't work, and they are then prescribed repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to help with symptoms of depression.


Does TMS work for postpartum depression? Click here.

TMS Risks

TMS doesn't require surgery or implantation of electrodes, and it isn't associated with seizures or having to be anesthetized before treatment. So generally, it is non-invasive and well-tolerated.

Typically, rTMS is considered benign, although it can cause side effects.

Common side effects

Side effects are generally mild to moderate and improve shortly after an individual session and decrease over time with additional sessions. They may include:


  • Headache
  • Scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation
  • Lightheadedness


If you're prescribed TMS Therapy for depression, your doctor may adjust the stimulation level to reduce symptoms or recommend that you take over-the-counter pain medication in advance.

Uncommon side effects

Some serious side effects of TMS are rare but may include:


  • Seizure
  • Mania
  • Hearing loss if there is inadequate ear protection during treatments


There is no evidence that TMS has any long-term side effects. More research is needed to determine whether rTMS has any long-term side effects.


Learn more about the pros and cons of TMS therapy.

How you prepare

Before having rTMS, it is often necessary to come in for a pre-treatment diagnostic evaluation. If there are any questions about your health or safety, you should talk with your doctor or mental health provider before the procedure can be scheduled.


TMS Therapy is not recommended for people with the following devices:


  • Aneurysm clips or coils.
  • Stents.
  • Implanted stimulators.
  • Implanted vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators.
  • Implanted electrical devices, such as pacemakers or medication pumps.
  • Electrodes for monitoring brain activity.
  • Cochlear implants for hearing.
  • Any magnetic implants.
  • Bullet fragments.
  • Any other metal device or object implanted in your body.

Discuss TMS with your doctor if:

  • Any medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal supplements, vitamins or other supplements, and the recommended dosages.
  • You have a history of seizures or a family history of epilepsy.
  • You have other mental health disorders, for example, bipolar disorder or psychosis.
  • You have a brain tumor, a stroke, or a traumatic brain injury.
  • You struggle with frequent and severe headaches.
  • You have any other medical conditions.
  • You've had previous treatment with rTMS, and it was effective in treating your depression.

Before your first appointment

TMS therapy is performed on an outpatient basis and doesn't require anesthesia. You don't have to worry about recovering from the treatment once you are finished.


Before considering treatment with TMS, check with your health insurance provider to see if rTMS is covered. If it isn't, ask them about out-of-pocket costs.

What you can expect

TMS therapy is typically done in a doctor's office or clinic, usually over the course of four to six weeks. It requires daily sessions for an average period of time before it can be effective.

Your first treatment

During treatment, the doctor will measure your head to determine the best place for the magnets and how much magnetic energy to use. The first appointment typically lasts about 45 minutes.


Most likely, during your first appointment:


  • You will be taken to a special room where you will sit in a reclining chair and given ear-protecting foam plugs.


  • Your doctor will determine the amount of magnetic energy needed by increasing the dose until your fingers or hands twitch. The level of stimulation can be changed, depending on your symptoms and side effects during therapy.


  • A device will be placed against your head that is switched on and off rapidly. This results in a tapping or clicking sound that usually lasts for a few seconds, followed by a pause. You'll also feel a tapping sensation on your forehead. This part of the process is called mapping.

During each treatment

Once you've been given the go-ahead to begin TMS Therapy, we typically start with a series of two or three treatments at a time. Here's what to expect during each treatment:


First, you'll be asked to sit in an armchair and put on earplugs before placing the magnetic coil against your temple. This will cause clicking sounds.


The TMS Therapy process takes about 19 minutes and includes the stimulation of scalp nerves with a magnetic field. Depending upon your symptoms, you may experience some slight discomfort or even an unpleasant sensation like pins and needles during the treatment.

After each treatment

It is important to remember that you can return to your normal daily activities after each TMS treatment. Typically, in between treatments, you can expect to work and drive.

Results

If rTMS works for you, your depression symptoms may improve or go away completely. Symptom relief may take a few weeks of treatment, and adjustments to the number and location of stimulations will continue to evolve in response to researchers' findings.


Learn more about the TMS success rate.

Ongoing treatment

Following completion of an rTMS treatment series, standard care for depression may be recommended as ongoing treatment. It is unknown if maintenance rTMS sessions will benefit your depression. This involves continuing treatment when you are symptom-free with the hope that it will prevent a return of symptoms.


Learn more about the conditions treated with TMS


Some people who have responded well to rTMS find that the symptoms of their depression can come back after a while. In this case, they can go through the process again with re-induction therapy. It is important to note that insurance companies will cover re-induction treatment.


Learn more about the cost of TMS therapy.


It's important to discuss treatment options with your doctor after seeing an improvement in your depressive symptoms.

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