What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can be accompanied by changes in sleep and appetite, low energy, feelings of guilt, poor concentration, and suicidal thoughts. Depression affects how you feel, think, and behave, and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical difficulties. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that depression affects over 21 million American adults each year.

Depression is a treatable condition. Taking an antidepressant or going to psychotherapy often eases depressive symptoms for most people. But for some people, standard treatments aren’t effective. They may not help much at all, or symptoms might improve, only to keep coming back. If you or a loved one isn’t responding to antidepressants or the side effects of antidepressants are difficult to tolerate, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy might be a solution.

What is TMS?
TMS is a non-invasive treatment in which a series of magnetic pulses is delivered to stimulate nerve cells in a part of the brain controlling mood, which is often underactive in patients with depression. Repeated stimulation of this part of the brain has been shown to produce an antidepressant effect in many people suffering from depression. It is a safe procedure with high tolerability and no effect on cognitive function. TMS is covered by most insurance providers. TMS is also known as rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) because more than one magnetic pulse is delivered to the brain during a treatment session.

Am I a candidate for TMS?
TMS is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adult patients who have failed to receive satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode. TMS Therapy is available by prescription only. Your doctor will use medication dosing records and depression scores, among other measures, to determine whether you are a candidate for TMS Therapy.

How long does it take?
TMS Therapy is offered as Express TMS®, which lasts 3 minutes, or as standard TMS, lasting 19-37 minutes. One treatment is given per day, 5 times per week, over a period of 4-6 weeks.

What does TMS feel like?
Patients will sit in a chair in a relaxed position. When the magnetic pulses are delivered, you hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head. Many patients are able to watch television or read during treatment.

Are there any side effects?
TMS treatments do not bring about the side effects typically experienced with antidepressants, such as weight gain and sexual dysfunction. For some, TMS may cause headaches or nausea, but you should be able to resume your daily activities right after treatment. However, please note that TMS Therapy is a medical procedure, and any side effects experienced during or after receiving the therapy should be reported to your doctor.

Depression is more than just a bad bout of the blues. Those suffering can’t simply toughen up and get over it. It’s a medical condition that requires treatment. But if you have struggled to successfully treat your depression, don’t get discouraged. TMS Therapy might be right for you. For more information on TMS Therapy at Medical Associates, please call our Behavioral & Mental Health Department at 563-584-3500.

Michael Peroski, DO
Behavioral & Mental Health Department
Medical Associates Clinic

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Behavioral & Mental Health Department