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Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a procedure that uses special machinery to stimulate certain nerve cells in the brain. One of the primary TMS therapy benefits is improving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. TMS is often used after other treatment methods, such as medication and psychotherapy, have been ineffective.
Depression is treatable, but not all treatment methods work for everyone. In many cases, TMS is the breakthrough that helps a depressed person find relief. It’s a low-risk, non-invasive procedure that doesn’t require any surgery. Many people have experienced the benefits of TMS after other treatment methods didn’t yield the results they needed.
Seeking effective treatment for mental health disorders like depression is crucial. When you’re experiencing depression, it can be hard to believe that getting effective treatment is even a possibility. However, TMS is often a game-changer for people dealing with depression, and it’s worth considering if other treatment methods haven’t been helpful.
What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation relies on a magnetic field to stimulate the brain and improve the symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment was first used in the 1980s and is now considered a mainstream method of handling treatment-resistant depression.
TMS works because the human brain uses electricity to convey signals to itself and to the body. TMS targets certain parts of your brain that are affected by depression and other mental health conditions, stimulating them and changing the exchange of electricity within your brain.
While other depression treatments, such as medication or therapy, can be effective for many, TMS is unique because of the technology involved. No other mental health treatment makes use of a magnetic field in the same way TMS does. This is why the benefits of TMS can be so unique and far-reaching.
What Does TMS Treat?
The benefits of TMS apply to a wide array of mental health conditions. However, this treatment is often associated with the treatment of depression. Below is a list of some of the mental health conditions treated with TMS.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
TMS can be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, a common condition that causes chronic anxiety.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
The many transcranial magnetic stimulation benefits can also improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). This severe form of depression is often treatment-resistant, but TMS has been found to have a unique impact on those affected by MDD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges. Like MDD, OCD can sometimes be treatment-resistant, leading many who deal with this condition to try TMS.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, which primarily affects mood, can also be treated with TMS. Many people with bipolar disorder choose TMS to avoid the side effects associated with antipsychotic medications.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can be debilitating for many. It causes disconnection from reality in the form of hallucinations and delusional thoughts. TMS has been found to help many who deal with schizophrenia and don’t experience results from medication or therapy.
Chronic Pain
One unique case for TMS is for those who suffer from chronic pain. Because TMS stimulates certain parts of the brain, it can be used for pain management in tandem with other treatment methods.
PTSD
Many who deal with post-traumatic stress disorder experience coexisting anxiety and depression. TMS can help sufferers of PTSD manage the anxiety and depression associated with this condition, which can be debilitating without effective treatment.
Addiction
TMS has also been used for addiction treatment. The advantages of TMS over other treatment methods for addiction include low risk of side effects and the treatment’s non-invasive nature.
How Does TMS Treatment Work?
TMS therapy affects the brain by stimulating the areas within the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure and other similar emotions. By stimulating these areas, TMS can help with the management of conditions like depression and anxiety.
While it’s certainly one of the most popular, TMS is not the only form of brain stimulation used to treat mental health conditions. However, unlike deep brain stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation, TMS is non-invasive. This means it does not involve any surgery or implants.
Is TMS Therapy Effective?
TMS therapy is backed by a wealth of scientific research. This procedure is considered mainstream among mental health professionals and is continuing to gain more traction as an alternative to medication, therapy, and other treatment methods.
In addition, TMS has a reported success rate of between 70% and 80%, with a significant number of people experiencing a complete recovery from depression after just one treatment session.
As for side effects, TMS is considered extremely low risk. Common side effects include headaches, tingling sensations, and slight discomfort or irritation in the scalp. Post-treatment, patients may experience temporary facial twitching and lightheadedness.
Advantages of Looking to TMS Therapy
TMS can be especially beneficial if you have already tried more traditional treatment methods for mental health conditions like medication or therapy. The success rate for TMS and its ability to target specific parts of the brain, as well as the lack of systemic side effects, are some of the biggest reasons to consider TMS.
Using TMS Therapy with Other Treatments
TMS is sometimes used in tandem with other treatments, such as ketamine infusions and neurofeedback. Combining TMS with other treatment methods can have some potential benefits. However, it’s best to consult a mental health professional before pairing TMS with other treatments.
Is TMS Right for Me?
TMS may be right for you if:
- You haven’t had significant success with therapy or medications
- You aren’t able to take medications for depression due to factors like allergies or illnesses
- You’re dealing with major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Your medication is causing problematic side effects
In addition, there are some potential barriers to TMS treatment, such as:
- Implants like pacemakers or ICDs
- A condition like epilepsy
- A previous head injury
How Experience Structured Living Can Help
TMS therapy benefits are well-known, and we can help you access these benefits through our unique approach to TMS therapy. We pair TMS with a supportive housing environment for those dealing with addiction or a mental health condition like depression or anxiety.
For residents in our program, we also make use of a combination of holistic therapies, physical fitness, and IV therapy to create a comprehensive treatment strategy. We use these unique therapeutic techniques to promote whole-body wellness and help you thrive.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact us right away at 760-407-4312.
Can Insurance Cover TMS Therapy?
TMS is now considered a medically necessary treatment, which makes it eligible for coverage by insurance in many cases. However, make sure to contact your insurance provider before scheduling treatments.
Final Thoughts
TMS therapy has a variety of unique benefits for those dealing with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It also has a low risk of side effects, is non-invasive, and has an impressive success rate. We encourage you to consider TMS if you’re struggling to improve your mental health. This treatment method has been transformative for many, and it might be exactly what you need to start feeling better than ever.
Jenny Li is a California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and board-certified counselor by the NBCC with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. She is soon to be licensed in the state of Arizona and New Mexico. Jenny has lived and worked in Scandinavia, Asia, and Central- and South America; working with different populations in different capacities over the past 25+ years. She speaks English, Swedish, and Mandarin.
Jenny is currently in her PhD program for Clinical Supervision and Counseling Education. She has advanced training in several modalities and interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (CBT-E, CBT-P), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Transdiagnostic Unified Protocol for complex emotional concerns. She is EMDR trained (basic/advanced), a Level 1 IFS therapist, and certified in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. For families, she is trained in Emotion-focused Family Therapy (Level 2 EFFT), draws on structural family principles, and implements interventions from being trained in Gottman’s methods. She is in the process of becoming a CAMFT Certified Clinical Supervisor.
She has worked as a faculty member in university settings and provided direct clinical care in hospitals, residential, and outpatient care with experience treating children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Jenny has been providing direct clinical services over the past eight years. She is currently in her role as the Executive Clinical Director for residential and outpatient mental health services, where she also leads a team of clinicians, providing clinical supervision and overseeing program development and clinical services.
