The treatment and stigmas surrounding mental health have improved significantly over the years, particularly in the last decade. Mental health treatment has evolved from primitive approaches rooted in superstition to evidence-based medical interventions. A recent scientifically-backed treatment that has recently emerged is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS mental health treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
TMS has shown significant benefits as a treatment for various mental health conditions, particularly treatment-resistant depression, where it has received FDA approval. It offers an alternative for patients who haven’t responded to antidepressant medications or who cannot tolerate the side effects of medication.
TMS therapy is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects compared to other treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and doesn’t require anesthesia or cause memory or cognitive impairment. Let’s explore further this new type of mental health and depression treatment to provide a better understanding of its suitability for patients.
What Is TMS Therapy?
During TMS therapy for mental health, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp, typically near the forehead. The coil generates short magnetic pulses that pass painlessly through the skull, creating small electrical currents that stimulate neurons in targeted brain regions.
TMS is primarily used to treat depression, particularly in cases where patients haven’t responded to antidepressant medications. After receiving FDA approval, the treatment method is increasingly being studied for other conditions like anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and chronic pain.
A typical TMS treatment program involves sessions lasting about 30 to 60 minutes, five days a week, for four to six weeks. During treatment, patients remain awake and alert and can resume normal activities immediately afterward. Side effects are generally mild and may include headache, scalp discomfort, lightheadedness, or tingling sensations.
The therapy works by targeting specific areas of the brain that regulate mood, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which often shows decreased activity in people with depression. The magnetic stimulation appears to activate these regions and normalize their function, thereby improving symptoms.
How Effective Is TMS for Treating Mental Health Disorders?
TMS has shown promising effectiveness in treating several mental health diagnoses, with the strongest evidence supporting its use for treatment-resistant depression. A report from Harvard Medical School found that TMS patients feel better for many months after treatment stops. These results are notable, considering 50% to 60% of patients with depression have failed to receive benefit from medications.
For depression, TMS is generally considered a second-line treatment after medications and psychotherapy have been tried. The benefits often emerge after two to three weeks of treatment and can be long-lasting, though some patients require maintenance sessions. The treatment appears to have a cumulative effect, with effectiveness increasing over the course of the treatment period.
Beyond depression, research on TMS for other conditions shows varying degrees of effectiveness. For anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety and panic disorder, moderate benefits have been observed. OCD treatment with TMS received FDA approval in 2018. For PTSD, preliminary research suggests potential benefits, but more studies are needed.
The effectiveness can vary based on several factors, including the specific treatment protocol used, the targeted brain region, the individual’s neurophysiology, and the severity and duration of the condition. Some patients respond better than others, and researchers are working to identify reliable factors that might predict treatment response.
Who Can Benefit From TMS Treatment?
TMS treatment can benefit several groups of people, particularly those with treatment-resistant depression who haven’t responded adequately to antidepressant medications. Candidates typically include patients who have tried at least one antidepressant medication without success or those who cannot tolerate the side effects of medications.
Individuals with major depressive disorder show the most consistent benefits, as this is the condition for which TMS has FDA approval and the strongest evidence base. Some patients with anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, or certain types of chronic pain may also benefit, though these applications may be considered off-label in some regions.
Good candidates for TMS generally include:
- People who prefer non-medication approaches to mental health treatment
- Those who need treatment but want to avoid the cognitive side effects of some medications
- Patients who haven’t responded to multiple medication trials
- Individuals who experienced intolerable side effects from medications
- People with depression who are pregnant or breastfeeding and wish to avoid medication exposure
- Those with depression who require treatment but have medical conditions that complicate medication use
TMS is not suitable for everyone. People with metal implants near the head (except dental fillings), history of seizures, pacemakers, or certain other medical devices typically cannot receive TMS mental health treatment due to safety concerns. The treatment is also generally not recommended for people with active substance use disorders until they achieve stability.
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Are There Any Risks Associated With TMS Treatment?
TMS treatment is generally considered safe, but it does carry some risks and potential side effects. Most side effects are mild and temporary, resolving shortly after each session or once the treatment course ends.
The most common side effects include:
- Headache
- Scalp discomfort at the stimulation site
- Facial twitching during treatment
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Tingling sensations
More serious but rare risks include:
- Seizures (risk is very low)
- Hearing problems if proper ear protection isn’t used during treatment
- Mania in patients with bipolar disorder
- Temporary changes in cognition
TMS doesn’t require anesthesia and doesn’t cause memory loss or cognitive impairment. It also avoids the systemic side effects associated with medications, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or nausea. For most patients who qualify for the treatment, the potential benefits typically outweigh the risks, especially when considering the significant impairment and health risks associated with untreated depression or other mental health conditions.
Finding TMS Mental Health Options
Access to alternative therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) represents a crucial expansion of the mental health treatment toolkit, offering hope to patients who haven’t responded to conventional approaches. TMS and similar innovations provide options that avoid the sometimes debilitating side effects of medications.
The availability of TMS and other alternative treatments ultimately empowers patients with greater agency in their healing journey. Before starting TMS mental health treatment, patients undergo a thorough screening to ensure they’re appropriate candidates and to minimize any potential risks.
Moment of Clarity operates a network of outpatient treatment centers for mental health to help patients with a variety of mental health disorders. We provide customized treatment options so each patient is treated as an individual to increase their recovery chances. To discover more about accessing TMS mental health treatment, please contact Moment of Clarity by calling 949-625-0564 today to learn more details.
External Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA permits marketing of transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder
- Harvard Medical School – Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – Hope for stubborn depression
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the Treatment of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder
- Mayo Clinic – Transcranial magnetic stimulation
