Commonly Asked Questions About TMS Depression Treatment

Depression treatment is typically recommended for people with treatment-resistant depression. It also serves as an alternative treatment for people who prefer not to take medication as part of their treatment or those who have severe side effects from antidepressants.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves using magnetic waves to increase brain activity in regions with reduced activity. The prefrontal cortex is often the target of the treatment since it regulates emotions and mood.

Frequently asked questions about TMS depression treatment

Thinking about giving TMS depression treatment a try? Let us go over the answers to some of the questions you might have:

1. How does TMS therapy work?

TMS therapy works by stimulating brain regions with reduced activity. People with depression typically have reduced activity in their prefrontal cortex. This leads to many of the symptoms of depression.

Magnetic pulses are repeatedly sent into the patient's brain during TMS therapy. These magnetic pulses are converted into electrical charges once they penetrate into the brain, increasing neuron activity in the region. People who undergo TMS therapy usually start to notice positive results after one to two weeks of treatment.

2. Who needs TMS therapy?

TMS therapy is typically recommended for patients who have used antidepressants for more than six weeks without any significant improvements. TMS therapy often yields positive results where medication has failed. TMS therapy can be combined with medication since it makes antidepressants more effective.

TMS therapy is also recommended for patients who get severe side effects from antidepressants. Such patients need an alternative treatment, and TMS therapy works great as a standalone option. People who would rather not take antidepressants as part of their depression treatment for whatever reason can also benefit from TMS therapy.

3. What does TMS treatment look like?

Patients who opt for TMS therapy often undergo a brain scan to create a map of their brain. Psychiatrists use this to identify the best areas to target during the treatment.

The patient sits on a chair during the treatment, and they are given earplugs to protect their ears from the loud clicking sounds made by the magnetic coil. It sounds a lot like the noises made by the machines used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The patient's motor threshold is then established. This serves as a marker for the intensity of the magnetic pulses used for the treatment. It is determined by sending magnetic waves of increasing intensity into the patient's brain until their hands or fingers twitch.

The psychiatrist then sends magnetic waves into the selected parts of the patient's brain. The procedure does not cause pain, but the patient feels tapping sensations on their forehead. A typical TMS session lasts anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes. Treatment typically involves up to five sessions per week for as long as six weeks. Patients are free to drive themselves and return to their regular activities after each treatment session.

TMS therapy is an effective way to treat depression

TMS therapy is a safe, non-invasive way to treat severe depression. Give us a call or visit our New York clinic to set up an appointment with our psychiatrist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hopetmsofny.com or call Hope TMS and Neuropsychiatric Center at (646) 578-8152 for an appointment in our New York office.

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