TMS Therapy

    Tried antidepressants? Tried psychotherapy? Are you still feeling depressed? It's time to rediscover happiness with FDA-approved TMS treatment for depression.

    Dr. Bessy Martirosyan

    Written by

    Dr. Bessy Martirosyan

    Dr. Ellen Machikawa

    Reviewed by

    Dr. Ellen Machikawa

    Read Time: 8 minutes

    What is TMS Therapy?

    Introducing TMS therapy to make you feel better

    Tried antidepressants? Tried psychotherapy? Are you still feeling depressed? It's time to rediscover happiness with FDA-approved TMS treatment for depression.

    TMS therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain nerve cells that control depression. Magnetic stimulation helps to improve communication between various parts of the brain and reduce depression symptoms.

    This innovative treatment offers hope for individuals who haven't found relief through traditional approaches, providing an effective alternative with minimal side effects.

    FDA Approved for Treatment of:

    • Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Depression with anxiety resistant to standard treatments
    • Smoking cessation

    Conditions Being Investigated (Off-label):

    • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    • Bipolar disorder
    • PTSD
    • ADHD
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Chronic pain
    • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
    • Alzheimer's disease
    • Tinnitus
    • Schizophrenia
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine & Fibromyalgia

    How TMS Works

    TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. During TMS therapy, 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.

    This stimulation appears to affect how the brain is working, which in turn seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood. It's thought that TMS may activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in people with depression.

    Conditions Treated

    TMS therapy has shown effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions. While primarily FDA-approved for specific conditions, research continues to explore its potential for other neuropsychiatric disorders.

    Primary Conditions

    • • Treatment-resistant depression
    • • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
    • • Depression with anxiety
    • • Smoking cessation

    Research & Off-label

    • • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    • • Bipolar disorder
    • • PTSD & ADHD
    • • Chronic pain & Migraine

    Treatment Process

    TMS treatment typically involves a series of sessions over several weeks. Each session is conducted in a comfortable outpatient setting with no anesthesia required.

    Initial Consultation & Mapping

    During your first visit, our specialists will conduct a thorough evaluation and create a personalized treatment map for your brain.

    Treatment Sessions

    Typically 5 sessions per week for 4-6 weeks. Each session lasts about 18-37 minutes depending on the protocol used.

    No Downtime

    You can return to normal activities immediately after each session. No sedation or anesthesia is required.

    Benefits & Effectiveness

    Non-Invasive

    No surgery, no anesthesia, no systemic side effects

    Outpatient

    Convenient treatment sessions with immediate return to activities

    Effective

    Clinically proven results for treatment-resistant conditions

    Side Effects

    TMS therapy is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects compared to traditional medications.

    Common Side Effects (Mild)

    Mild headaches
    Tingling sensation
    Lightheadedness

    These side effects are typically mild and decrease over time as you become more accustomed to the treatment.

    TMS vs Traditional Medication - Which One is Better?

    🧠 TMS Therapy
    • 💆Mild headaches
    • Tingling sensation
    • 💭Lightheadedness
    💊 Traditional Medication
    • 🤕Headaches
    • 🤢Nausea
    • 😴Dry mouth
    • 😪Drowsiness
    • 😵Sleeplessness
    • ⚖️Weight gain
    • 💔Reduced sex drive
    🏆

    The Clear Winner

    Which one is better? ✨ TMS therapy ✨

    🎯 It has negligible side effects and superior treatment outcomes!

    Who is a Candidate for TMS?

    TMS therapy may be right for you if you've tried antidepressants and psychotherapy but are still experiencing symptoms of depression or other qualifying conditions.

    Good Candidates

    • • Treatment-resistant depression
    • • Unable to tolerate medication side effects
    • • Prefer non-medication treatment
    • • Failed 2+ antidepressant trials
    • • OCD with inadequate response to treatment

    Contraindications

    • • Metal implants in head/neck area
    • • Pacemakers or cochlear implants
    • • History of seizures
    • • Pregnancy
    • • Active substance abuse

    Coverage for TMS Therapy

    TMS therapy is affordable. Though most of the insurance covers TMS therapy, these insurance companies require at least two months of psychotherapy in the past.

    Insurance Information

    • Most insurance plans cover TMS therapy
    • Requires at least two months of psychotherapy documentation
    • CPT codes: 90867 or 90868 for insurance verification
    • Check healthcare expenses at Fair Health Consumer

    The best way to determine whether you are covered for TMS therapy is to fill out our TMS form. Our team will get back to you about the coverage status.

    Request TMS Consultation

    When to Seek Help

    It's important to seek professional help if you or a loved one experience OCD symptoms that interfere with daily life, relationships, work, school, or overall well-being. Don't wait until symptoms become severe.

    Seek Help When Symptoms:

    • • Take more than 1 hour per day
    • • Significantly interfere with work, school, or social activities
    • • Cause significant distress or anxiety
    • • Impact relationships with family and friends
    • • Prevent you from enjoying activities you used to love
    • • Lead to avoidance of important situations

    Ready to Take Control of Your OCD?

    Connect with our qualified mental health professionals who specialize in OCD treatment and start your journey toward better mental health.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Get expert answers to the most common questions about TMS therapy, effectiveness, and what to expect during treatment

    Does TMS therapy hurt?

    TMS therapy is generally well-tolerated. You may feel a tapping sensation on your scalp during treatment, and some people experience mild headaches. The sensation becomes more comfortable as you get used to the treatment. No anesthesia is required.

    🩺

    Comfort Level

    Most patients find TMS comfortable and non-invasive compared to other treatment options.

    How long does TMS treatment take?

    Each TMS session typically lasts 18-37 minutes depending on the protocol. A full course of treatment usually involves 5 sessions per week for 4-6 weeks, totaling about 20-30 sessions. Results are often seen within 2-4 weeks.

    ⏱️

    Treatment Schedule

    Convenient outpatient sessions that fit into your daily routine without disrupting work or activities.

    How effective is TMS therapy?

    Clinical studies show that about 50-60% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience significant improvement with TMS therapy. About one-third of patients achieve complete remission of their depression symptoms.

    📊

    Success Rates

    High success rates for treatment-resistant depression with minimal side effects compared to medications.

    Is TMS therapy covered by insurance?

    Most major insurance plans cover TMS therapy for FDA-approved conditions like treatment-resistant depression and OCD. Coverage typically requires documentation of previous treatment attempts, including at least two months of psychotherapy and failed medication trials.

    🏥

    Insurance Coverage

    Most plans cover TMS with proper prior authorization and documentation of treatment history.

    References

    [1] National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2024). Brain Stimulation Therapies. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies

    [2] FDA. (2024). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Devices. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/neurological-devices/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms-devices

    [3] Clinical TMS Society. (2024). TMS Practice Guidelines. https://www.clinicaltmssociety.org/

    [4] Mayo Clinic. (2024). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625

    [5] American Journal of Psychiatry. (2024). Efficacy and Safety of TMS in Treatment-Resistant Depression. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/