If you’ve been confused by all the articles about TMS therapy, or if you’re scared of it because you think it’s shock therapy, then this post is for you. We will explain what TMS does and how it can be used to treat depression. We will also answer some common questions that people have about TMS.
• Why would someone want such an expensive and strange process done on them
anyway?
• What does it do when someone has their brain magnetized by a machine!?
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to modify brain activity. TMS has been approved by the FDA since 2008 and currently over 100k people have had TMS done on them in order to treat their depression or other disorders.
How Does It Work?
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
During an rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression..
TMS is very different from electroshock therapy or TENS, which are considered psychiatric treatments that use electric shock. TMS uses no anesthesia, and people undergoing the procedure may discuss their thoughts with a therapist throughout the session.
Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes once daily for four to six weeks during an eight-week period. Some TMS patients receive TMS treatment for more than eight weeks. For some people, TMS offers relief from depression symptoms when other therapies have failed. TMS is not a permanent cure and may need to be repeated in order to maintain its effect on depressive symptoms. Some research indicates that TMS may also help with migraines, pain syndromes, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), and other neurological disorders. TMS has been studied in children as young as 12 years old who have treatment-resistant depression.
TMS is not a replacement for medications or behavioral therapy but rather an adjunct to these treatments that may help reduce symptoms when used along with them. TMS is a treatment that is recommended by the TMS Therapy Service, which was created as part of a TMS research study. It’s important to note that not all TMS facilities have been approved by this organization and may not provide you with safe or effective TMS therapy treatments.
What Does TMS Feel Like?
TMS treatment sessions are safe and side effects are generally mild. Some TMS patients have reported feeling brief headaches after TMS treatments that typically go away in one or two days. TMS therapy has been found to be safe and well tolerated in pregnant women.
FAQs About TMS
A: TMS uses a magnetic pulse to stimulate nerve cells, whereas ECT uses electric shocks. TMS does not require anesthesia, and people undergoing the procedure may discuss their thoughts with a therapist throughout the session. TMS is also painless and does not cause seizures, so there is no risk of a TMS patient having an “electrical seizure.” TMS also does not require anesthesia, and people undergoing the procedure may discuss their thoughts with a therapist throughout the session.
TMS is also painless and does not cause seizures, so there is no risk of a TMS patient having an “electrical seizure.” TMS therapy has been found to be safe and well tolerated in pregnant women.
A: Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes once daily for four to six weeks during an eight-week period. TMS Therapy Service recommends that TMS treatments are repeated as necessary—typically every three to four weeks, but not more than once a day or five time sweekly. Some TMS patients receive TMS treatment for more than eight weeks.
A: TMS has been found to be safe and well tolerated in pregnant women. Most TMS patients receive TMS treatment for four weeks or more, but there is no set number of sessions that a patient must have. Some people find they don’t need additional TMS treatments after having 30 TMS therapy sessions over the course of several months, while others may benefit from TMS treatment for as long as six months.
A: TMS is administered by a trained professional and the patient remains awake throughout the TMS therapy procedure. A TMS psychiatrist or neurologist will work with you to establish an exact protocol that’s best for your TMS treatment. You will be asked to sit or lie down on a couch so that the TMS coil can be held against the forehead without touching the skin—this is important because TMS patients are awake during their TMS therapy sessions and have been found to experience discomfort if they feel pressure from the electrodes, according to TMS Therapy Service. TMS is administered by a trained professional and the patient remains awake throughout the TMS therapy procedure. A TMS psychiatrist or neurologist will work with you to establish an exact protocol that’s best for your TMS treatment. You will be asked to sit or lie down on a couch so that the TMS coil can be held against the forehead without touching the skin—this is important because TMS patients are awake during their TMS therapy sessions and have been found to experience discomfort if they feel pressure from the electrodes, according to TMS Therapy Service.
Side Effects and Risks to consider
• mild headaches (most common)
• lightheadedness
• scalp pain
• neck pain
• tingling
• facial twitching
• sleepiness
• altered cognition during treatment
Who should NOT get TMS treatments?
The TMS procedure is not recommended for patients who have a history of seizures. Those who have a metal plate in their head, or any other metal in and around their head should not have the procedure done. Braces and fillings will not interfere with the treatment.
TMS treatments are not for everyone, so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to see if this treatment is right for you. Some people report feeling a tapping or pulsing sensation during the treatment, but this generally subsides fairly quickly. There are some risks and side effects associated with TMS treatments that you should be aware of before starting the process. However, these are typically mild and short-lived. If you have any other questions about TMS or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help!.