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TMS therapy, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for depression. It works by sending magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation. These pulses stimulate neurons, encouraging them to "wake up" and function more effectively. This treatment is particularly helpful for individuals who haven’t found relief through antidepressants or psychotherapy. Sessions last around 20 minutes and are typically conducted five times a week over 6-9 weeks.

Research has shown that 70-80% of people who didn’t respond to medication experience significant improvements with TMS therapy, and about one-third achieve full remission.

Yes, many commercial insurance providers, as well as Medicare, now cover TMS therapy due to its proven effectiveness in treating depression. While coverage for mental health treatments can vary by provider and plan, the recognition of TMS therapy as a valuable treatment has grown significantly.

We encourage all patients to confirm coverage details directly with their insurance provider, and our team can assist you in navigating the process if needed.

Absolutely. TMS therapy is a non-systemic treatment, meaning it does not circulate through the body like medications. As a result, TMS avoids the common side effects associated with antidepressants, such as weight gain, nausea, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction. The most frequent side effects of TMS therapy are mild headaches or scalp discomfort, which tend to lessen after the first week of treatment. In clinical trials, less than 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to side effects.

No, TMS therapy is different from other magnetic-based treatments. While some alternative therapies use low-intensity static magnetic fields, TMS employs high-frequency, pulsed magnetic fields similar to those used in MRI machines. These pulses are specifically directed to target areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The method used in TMS therapy is far more advanced and has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating depression, unlike static magnetic therapies.

No, TMS therapy and ECT are two very different treatments. While both have been shown to treat depression, TMS therapy does not require anesthesia or induce seizures, which is a key component of ECT.

With TMS therapy, patients remain awake and alert throughout the session. ECT, by contrast, involves inducing a seizure under general anesthesia, which often leads to temporary memory loss and requires post-treatment recovery time. In over 10,000 clinical treatments of TMS, no seizures were observed, and studies have shown that TMS does not negatively impact memory function.

A typical course of TMS therapy consists of 5 sessions per week, with each session lasting 10-30 minutes, depending on the doctor’s protocol. The treatment period usually spans 6-9 weeks (36 treatments). After the initial course, your doctor will evaluate your progress and determine whether additional treatments are necessary.

Some patients may require maintenance sessions if symptoms return, but many experience long-term benefits after completing the initial course.

TMS Therapy is generally well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being mild to moderate scalp discomfort during and headaches following the treatment sessions. These side effects usually diminish after the first few treatments. There is also a small risk of seizure (similar to that of antidepressant medications), but TMS therapy has been proven to be safe in over 10,000 treatments, with no recorded seizures during clinical trials.

If you experience any discomfort, your doctor can adjust the location of the coil to make the treatments more tolerable. It’s important to note that while TMS therapy is effective for many, not all patients will experience the same level of improvement.

No, TMS therapy uses the same type and strength of magnetic fields as MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), which have been used in tens of millions of patients around the world and have not been shown to cause tumors. The magnetic energy used in a full course of TMS therapy is a small fraction of just one brain scan with an MRI.

No, TMS therapy has been extensively studied, and there is no evidence to suggest that it causes memory loss or impacts cognitive functions like concentration. Unlike ECT, which can cause temporary or even long-term memory issues, TMS therapy has been shown to have no negative effects on memory. In fact, many patients report improved mental clarity as their depression symptoms diminish. 

In a clinical trial, 2 out of 3 patients who had either responded to treatment or completely remitted their depressive symptoms reported 12 months later they remained at the level they were at the end of the trial. Additionally, after the trial, only 1 in 3 patients needed to return for ‘maintenance’ TMS sessions.

Yes, you can continue taking antidepressants while undergoing TMS therapy. It can be safely administered with medications, and your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your needs.

Some patients may find that they can reduce their medication dosage over time as they experience improvement from TMS therapy, but this decision should always be made under your doctor’s guidance.