Professional depression treatment can be life-saving for many patients with depression symptoms. Unfortunately, first-line mental health treatments do not always provide the relief a client needs. A psychiatrist may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation, or “TMS,” in these cases. As a noninvasive brain stimulation procedure, TMS uses a magnetic coil to influence brain electricity and treat chronic mental health conditions. This article will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about TMS treatment.
When neurons send messages to other parts of the body, an electrical charge is created. Thus, the brain is naturally electrically charged. Via magnetic pulses, TMS influences these electrical signals in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
Some clients benefit from deep TMS, or “dTMS,” which uses a larger coil to target deeper structures in the brain. There is also repetitive TMS, known as “rTMS,” that uses a higher frequency of magnetic pulses (more pulses per second). A psychiatrist will help recommend the most fitting TMS therapy for each client’s condition. For example, a client with treatment-resistant depression will likely benefit from TMS, while dTMS would be a better fit for someone with chronic obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or “FDA,” has approved TMS for use on clients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and OCD. However, it can help treat a range of mental health conditions. Some of the most common are:
Good candidates for TMS include those who have not seen improvements from first-line treatments for their mental disorders. For example, clients with treatment-resistant depression — a type of depression that has not positively responded to antidepressants — are some of the most common TMS candidates. Other examples include clients who cannot take medication because of an allergy, illness, or intolerable side effects.
Even if the client regularly takes their prescribed medication, they may undergo TMS if their symptoms of depression continue to interfere with daily life. Keep in mind that TMS works well as a supplementary treatment. It is important to stay in therapy and continue taking medication if prescribed.
TMS is not painful, and there is no need for general anesthesia. According to most clients, TMS feels like someone is tapping on the head. Discomfort is minimal. If TMS feels very uncomfortable, the provider may need to adjust the magnetic coil or reduce the frequency and intensity of the magnetic stimulation.
Seizures are a serious but rare side effect of TMS. For this reason, it is not recommended for people with epilepsy, a history of seizures, or those at risk of seizures (such as due to medication). It is also common for clients to experience the following symptoms while undergoing TMS, although they should subside soon after the session ends:
On average, clients can expect to see the results of TMS in the first four weeks of treatment. Some may notice improvements in their symptoms in as little as two weeks; others may not experience relief until after the treatment is complete. For clients with depression, improvements may look like having a reignited interest in hobbies or putting more effort into their appearance.
Recovery looks different for everyone. TMS is not always able to rid a client of their symptoms completely. If depression got in the way of a client’s hygiene, having the energy to shower and brush their teeth again is a major improvement. Clients with OCD may find their anxiety has calmed enough to help them get through exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.
The FDA first approved TMS for depression in 2008. It has also been approved for clients with OCD and migraines to help people quit smoking. Research on its other uses is underway, such as for PTSD.
TMS therapy offers many benefits to clients with various mental disorders. A psychiatrist can help determine whether it can benefit you or your loved one. To get started and learn more about TMS, call our office today.
Request an appointment here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.
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