Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (also called TMS) is a revolutionary depression treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). TMS treatments are administered by licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and other mental healthcare providers.
In this blog we’ll discuss what TMS is, its potential side effects, and how it is used to help patients who have been diagnosed with different forms of depression and ADHD.
TMS therapy is a safe, non-invasive, form of treatment for a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety (among others). TMS therapy works by sending safe electromagnetic pulses to different parts of the brain to increase the release of neurochemical messengers like dopamine and serotonin which are mood regulators. TMS works by stimulating areas of your brain responsible for how you feel such as your pre-frontal cortex.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treats a variety of mental health conditions, including:
Many mental health conditions such as ADHD and depression occur due to the abnormal abundance of hormones in your brain (and/or overstimulation of specific areas in your brain). TMS works to correct imbalances such as the lack of specific neurotransmitters in your brain
Depression symptoms occur as a result of a deficiency in specific neurotransmitters but negative thoughts and feelings are often enhanced and prolonged by what’s called rumination (focusing on specific negative thoughts or a pattern of negative situations that may have occurred). Many patients have a distorted understanding of what’s occurred called “all-or-nothing” thinking. This is a type of cognitive distortion that looks at a situation and says everything that has occurred is negative. Depression symptoms can be exacerbated by dwelling and compounding these cognitive distortions. Patients get stuck in negative thought patterns instead of making positive choices.
TMS changes increase the level of your brain’s mood-enhancing neurochemicals which help patients to overcome these negative thoughts and patterns.
Along with CBT techniques, patients can understand triggers and situations that may keep them in these loops and replace these with changes to behavior or thought patterns that (along with their TMS treatments) help them break prolonged negative thought patterns and moods that have disrupted activities of daily living and relationships.
Many patients choose to undergo this treatment due to its vast benefits as well as the fact that it is a safe, non-invasive, treatment.
Here are a few of the benefits of TMS for treating ADHD symptoms:
Depression can be very difficult to treat due to the complex combination of patients’ lives as well as the imbalance of dopamine in their brains. TMS is an easy-to-administer treatment that can be performed in a variety of locations.
Here are some of the benefits of TMS therapy for depression:
During a TMS procedure, an electromagnetic coil is positioned near your scalp. This coil generates magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the brain area responsible for mood regulation and depression. TMS is believed to activate brain regions with reduced activity in depression.
The principle of TMS is based on the concept that magnetic fields can modify the activity in the motor cortex, which is the brain region responsible for voluntary movements.
This outpatient procedure (including the use of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation machine), typically lasting 20-40 minutes per session, is carried out in a medical clinic without needing an overnight stay.
Generally recommended five days a week for 4 to 6 weeks, the total number of treatments varies based on your response.
While both Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are effective treatments for depression, they differ significantly in invasiveness, side effects, and patient experience.
There are several factors you should consider before seeking treatment as this treatment may or may not be the right choice for you or your loved one.
Despite its benefits for numerous patients, TMS has certain limitations. These include possible side effects such as headaches, dizziness, discomfort in the scalp, and neck pain.
Moreover, the treatment necessitates regular clinic visits, which might limit its suitability for you.
You should also think about the transcranial magnetic stimulation costs and time required for this treatment to be effective.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a groundbreaking, non-surgical technique that has demonstrated efficacy in managing a range of mental health disorders, especially major depression.
We're here to support you through your journey toward improved mental well-being. Call us at 888-903-5505 or schedule an appointment online.
FAQ’s
How does transcranial magnetic stimulation work?
During a TMS procedure, an electromagnetic coil is positioned near your scalp. This coil generates magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in the brain area responsible for mood regulation and depression. TMS is believed to activate brain regions with reduced activity in depression.
The principle of TMS is based on the concept that magnetic fields can modify the activity in the motor cortex, which is the brain region responsible for voluntary movements.
This outpatient procedure, typically lasting 20-40 minutes per session, is carried out in a medical clinic without needing an overnight stay.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation therapy. It uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells, potentially improving neurological or mental health disorder symptoms.
TMS is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), but it has also shown promising results for other disorders, like anxiety and Parkinson's disease.
Does transcranial magnetic stimulation work?
TMS has achieved notable success in treating patients with a variety of mental health issues, especially those who haven't responded to traditional therapies.
Its advantages include minimal side effects compared to pharmacological treatments, and the ability to target specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation, potentially leading to effective symptom relief.
Is transcranial magnetic stimulation covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover the use of TMS as a treatment for major depressive disorder, depression, and ADHD (among other conditions). To find out if your specific health insurance coverage covers this treatment contact us at Telapsychiatry or your health insurance provider.
How much does transcranial magnetic stimulation cost?
Costs vary depending on the length of your course of treatment and the complexity of your symptoms and condition.
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