Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a depression treatment that is typically recommended when antidepressants have failed. It is also an option for people who would rather avoid taking antidepressants or those who have tried and suffered severe side effects.
TMS treatment involves sending magnetic waves into a patient's brain by placing a magnetic coil on their head. The coil is repeatedly turned on and off, sending magnetic pulses into the patient's brain. These magnetic waves turn into electrical currents inside the brain, increasing activity in the areas targeted. People with depression often have reduced activity in their prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that regulates mood and emotions. Increasing activity here often helps to reduce the symptoms of depression.
Getting TMS therapy often starts with a psychiatrist taking a scan of the patient's brain with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This creates a map of the patient's brain that the psychiatrist uses to identify the best regions of the brain to target.
Patients are given earplugs to protect their ears from the clicking sounds of the magnetic coil used for TMS depression treatment. It sounds like the clicking sounds made by the equipment used for magnetic resonance imaging.
The patient's motor threshold is determined during the first session using the magnetic coil. The psychiatrist does this by gradually increasing the intensity of the magnetic waves being used until it forces the patient's fingers or hands to twitch. This establishes how much the patient can take during each treatment.
The patient is ready for their regular TMS sessions once their motor threshold has been established. These sessions last somewhere between 20 to 40 minutes. TMS depression treatment involves getting about five of these sessions each week for up to six weeks. Some patients might need additional treatments after going through their first cycle, and they typically need fewer sessions during follow-up cycles.
Many patients report a reduction in their symptoms as early as two weeks into their first treatment cycle. Factors like the patient's unique brain chemistry and the severity of their depression impact how quickly the effects of the treatment can be felt. Taking antidepressants while undergoing TMS therapy also leads to faster results.
Most people who get transcranial magnetic stimulation experience positive results they did not get from taking antidepressants. Some patients get full remission from their symptoms after TMS therapy, while others report a significant decrease. Most patients who undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation continue to enjoy positive results up to a year or longer after starting treatments. Many patients enjoy positive improvements for years, while others are free from the symptoms of depression for the rest of their lives.
Our psychiatrist has years of experience helping people with depression to get past their symptoms and restore their quality of life. Call or stop by our New York clinic to set up an appointment.
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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