TMS Therapy

What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy?

TMS therapy is a noninvasive and painless procedure that delivers electromagnetic pulses to specific areas of your brain to stimulate nerve cells. The pulses of energy reactivate the areas of your brain affected by your depression to alleviate symptoms.

Suburban Behavioral Health Services uses an FDA-approved machine for TMS therapy.

Am I a good candidate for TMS therapy?

When you come in for help with your depression at Suburban Behavioral Health Services, your mental health specialist conducts a comprehensive evaluation to assess your mental wellness and the severity of your depression using a clinical depression scale.

The information gathered during your evaluation helps determine the most effective treatment. 

Suburban Behavioral Health Services may consider you a good candidate for TMS therapy if you have treatment-resistant unipolar depression, which means antidepressants and psychotherapy failed to alleviate your depression symptoms despite your best efforts. 

You may not be a good candidate for TMS therapy if you have aneurysm clips, a pacemaker, cochlear implants, magnetic implants, or bullet fragments. 

Suburban Behavioral Health Services offers TMS therapy for the treatment of other conditions, such as bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

However, when used for conditions that aren’t FDA-approved, treatment may not be covered by your insurance. Dedicated to ensuring you get the best care for your mental wellness, the psychiatric practice works with you and develops a discounted payment plan. 

What can I expect during TMS therapy?

Your provider at Suburban Behavioral Health Services performs your TMS therapy at the office. The specifics of your procedure may depend on your individual needs. 

Your provider spends a lot of time educating you about your diagnosis and treatment so you can make the most informed decision about your care. 

Your first TMS therapy treatment may take the longest, about 60 minutes. During your initial therapy, your provider needs to determine the proper placement of the magnetic coil and the right dose so you get the best possible results.

Once location and dose are determined, your provider places the TMS therapy coil on your head and starts treatment. You may experience a clicking sensation during therapy but no pain.

There are no side effects or need for downtime after your TMS therapy, and you can resume your usual activities, including driving your car.

How many TMS therapy treatments do I need?

Your provider at Suburban Behavioral Health Services develops individualized treatment plans for TMS therapy based on the severity of your depression. In general, Suburban Behavioral Health Services recommends treatments five days a week for six weeks.

After your initial session, each follow-up treatment only takes 15–20 minutes.

Though results vary, TMS therapy helps 35% of treatment-resistant depression patients go into remission (complete resolution of symptoms), and 50% of patients experience improvement in their symptoms.

The therapists at Suburban Behavioral Health Services train students from local universities, and students may be present during your therapy sessions. 

To learn more about TMS therapy and how it can help you feel better, call Suburban Behavioral Health Services or book a consultation online today.