TMS Therapy for Depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
When depression continues despite medication and therapy, it may be time to consider a different approach. Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services offers What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for adults with major depressive disorder. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
When Depression Has Not Improved Enough
Depression treatment often begins with psychotherapy, antidepressant medication or a combination of both. These approaches can be effective, but they do not work equally well for everyone. Some people continue to experience persistent depression even after trying appropriate medications. Others may experience side effects that make antidepressants difficult to tolerate. TMS therapy provides a different way to treat depression. Instead of introducing another medication into the body, transcranial magnetic stimulation uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate a specific area of the brain. For adults who feel they have exhausted the usual options, that difference can matter.
What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive treatment for depression that uses a magnetic coil positioned against the head. The device delivers brief magnetic pulses to a targeted area of the brain associated with depression. Treatment takes place while the patient is awake and seated comfortably in a chair. There are no incisions and no general anesthesia. Patients can leave after their appointment and return to their normal activities.
A Different Approach to Depression Treatment
TMS is different from both antidepressant medication and electroconvulsive therapy.
Because the treatment is delivered directly through magnetic stimulation, it does not rely on a medication circulating throughout the body. TMS also does not require the anesthesia or sedation associated with ECT. This makes TMS particularly worth exploring for adults whose depression has not responded adequately to antidepressants or who have experienced significant medication side effects.
Treatment decisions remain individualized. Pine Grove evaluates each patient before treatment to determine whether TMS is appropriate based on their depression history, previous treatment and medical considerations.
What Does TMS Feel Like?
During treatment, patients remain awake and relaxed in a chair. As the magnetic pulses are delivered, you will hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation against your head. Some patients read, watch something on a phone or tablet, or simply relax during the session.
What TMS Treatment at Pine Grove Looks Like
TMS is provided as a series of outpatient treatments rather than a one-time procedure.
The process begins with an assessment with a Pine Grove provider. During that appointment, the provider reviews your history, determines whether TMS may be appropriate and discusses the treatment process, potential risks and benefits.
The first treatment session also includes mapping, which helps establish the appropriate treatment location and settings for the individual patient. After that, treatments are relatively brief. Most ongoing TMS appointments take approximately 30 minutes.
A Structured Course of TMS Therapy
A typical initial course of TMS at Pine Grove includes treatment each weekday for approximately six weeks, followed by treatment at a reduced frequency over the next three weeks.
The complete initial series consists of approximately 36 treatments.
Because TMS treatment is brief and does not require sedation, patients can generally incorporate appointments into their normal routines and return to work or other activities afterward.
TMS as Part of Depression Care
Depression does not look the same for every person, and neither should treatment. Pine Grove provides a broad range of behavioral health services across different levels of care, allowing patients to receive treatment based on their symptoms, history and individual needs.
For someone whose depression has persisted despite previous treatment, TMS adds another option without separating that treatment from the larger picture of their mental health. Pine Grove has served individuals and families for more than 40 years, bringing together experienced behavioral health professionals and a wide range of treatment programs on its Hattiesburg campus.
FAQs About TMS
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and is used to treat depression. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses a coil placed over the patient’s head to administer brief magnetic pulses to a specific location in your brain.
TMS therapy is an appropriate treatment of patients 18 years and older with major depressive disorder who have failed from adequate antidepressant treatment or have experienced significant side effects from antidepressants.
TMS therapy is not appropriate for patients with a history of seizures or who have magnetic sensitive metal implants in their head. Patients who have braces and/or metal fillings are acceptable for treatment. Before the first TMS treatment, patients are carefully screened by a trained Provider.
The most common side effects of TMS are headaches, scalp discomfort, facial muscle twitching and light headedness.
No. While both treatments are considered effective treatments for depression, TMS is noninvasive and does not include sedation with general anesthesia.
You 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. Some patients are able to watch television on their phone/tablet or read during treatment.
The initial series of TMS treatments occur daily (weekdays) for 6 weeks and then at a decreased frequency over the next 3 weeks for a total of 36 treatments.
The first visit will be 90 minutes spent with your provider for an assessment to ensure TMS is appropriate for you and to discuss risks, benefits, and treatment process. The first treatment appointment will be approximately 1 hour and it will include the mapping portion of the treatment. Subsequent treatment visits are approximately 30 minutes.
Yes! Patients may resume normal activity after receiving a TMS treatment.
We understand that sickness and emergencies happen. Missing an occasional treatment is not a problem. Treatments are often cancelled for major holidays. Patients are advised to not miss several consecutive days at once. Patients with already scheduled travel plans in the next 6 weeks may need to begin TMS treatment after the travel plans are concluded.
Yes, TMS has been studied with and without medication. Patients should continue to take any prescribed medication while also receiving TMS treatments.
Medicare and many commercial insurances will cover TMS. Pine Grove will gladly contact your insurance company to determine your benefits and we will provide you with an estimate of any out of pocket costs you will incur.
Depression Treatment with TMS Therapy at Pine Grove
If depression has not improved enough with the treatments you have already tried, another approach may be worth exploring. At Pine Grove, TMS treatment is part of a larger commitment to helping people find the level and type of care that fits their needs. With more than four decades of behavioral health experience, a comprehensive campus and a team accustomed to treating complex mental health conditions, Pine Grove can help you better understand your options and what comes next.
Reach out today to learn more about TMS therapy, ask questions about treatment or schedule an initial evaluation.
