What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is an alternative treatment for various mental health conditions. Most often, this treatment is used to address major depression and anxiety.
Along with these issues, TMS can be a viable option for:
- OCD
- Bipolar depression
- Nicotine addiction
- PTSD
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Memory impairment
- ADHD in adults
TMS is non-invasive and involves using a magnetic field to stimulate underactive neurons in specific parts of your brain. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy typically takes about six weeks and is over 70% effective for providing long-term relief from depression symptoms.
How Does TMS Work?
This treatment is a safe, noninvasive therapy that has been FDA-approved for treating certain conditions. The risk of seizures during TMS is the same as any other antidepressant medication, and the most common side effect is mild headaches that subside after the first week or so, or no side effects at all.
During a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation session, you can sit comfortably and perform passive activities like reading a book, watching TV, or listening to music. Most patients report that the treatment feels like a tapping on the skull.
In some cases, you may experience a tingling sensation or scalp sensitivity at the stimulation site during treatment, which can be mitigated by placing the device at a different angle.
What Are the Results?
Most TMS treatment protocols last for 30 sessions. These are spaced at five sessions per week, so the full treatment lasts six weeks. Each TMS session will last about 20-40 minutes, and some of this time is used to calibrate the machine.
TMS therapy is 70% effective for treating mood disorders such as major depression, anxiety, and bipolar depression. It is most effective for patients with conditions that are resistant to other forms of treatment.
