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Located in Northern San Diego County, the area surrounding Camp Pendleton offers several TMS therapy providers. Several TMS providers in Southern California specifically work with military insurance, including TRICARE, TriWest, and VA coverage. Treatment for TMS Camp Pendleton service members is FDA-approved for treating depression and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation. It’s also used for treating PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, making it particularly relevant for military personnel.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that utilizes magnetic fields to target specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and the treatment of mental health conditions. TMS works by delivering focused magnetic pulses through a coil placed against the scalp. These magnetic pulses can penetrate about 2–3 centimeters into the brain tissue, reaching the outer layers of the cortex. The magnetic field induces small electrical currents in the targeted brain regions, which can either stimulate or inhibit neural activity depending on the frequency and intensity used.
For depression, TMS typically targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area that’s often underactive in people with depression. This region is crucial for executive function, working memory, and mood regulation. By stimulating this area repeatedly over several weeks, TMS can help wake up underactive neural networks and restore more normal brain function patterns.
A typical TMS treatment course involves:
TMS works by targeting the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and reorganize itself. Repeated magnetic stimulation can lead to long-lasting changes in brain activity patterns, potentially creating new pathways that support better mood regulation and cognitive function.
Conditions Treated
While FDA-approved primarily for treatment-resistant depression, TMS is also being used for:
Unlike medications that affect the entire body, TMS can target specific brain circuits involved in mental health conditions. This precision allows for therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects. The treatment essentially helps retrain the brain’s neural networks to function more effectively, offering hope for people who haven’t responded well to traditional therapies like antidepressants or psychotherapy.
Yes, TMS therapy has FDA approval for several conditions, including depression. Other conditions have also received approval, while others are still working through the process.
Primary FDA-Approved Conditions
Off-Label Uses
While FDA approval exists for these specific conditions, many clinicians also use TMS off-label for other mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety disorders, and certain chronic pain conditions. However, these uses aren’t yet FDA-approved.
About 60% of people who didn’t respond to other depression treatments respond to standard TMS protocols, and more than half of these patients stay in remission at six-month follow-up appointments after stopping TMS, demonstrating the effectiveness of this FDA-approved treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
Yes, there are several TMS clinics conveniently located near Camp Pendleton. Having convenient access to FDA-approved TMS therapy for military personnel and their families stationed at Camp Pendleton, with several options accepting military insurance, helps expand services for mental health treatment in California.
Yes, both active-duty military and veterans can receive TMS therapy locally near Camp Pendleton, with several coverage options available. TRICARE insurance covers non-invasive procedures. TRICARE covers transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of adults with Major Depressive Disorder during outpatient mental health therapy. TRICARE now pays for TMS therapy for the treatment of both MDD and PTSD, making it particularly relevant for military personnel who may experience these conditions.
Through partnerships with TriWest, veterans can receive TMS therapy through the VA’s Community Care Program. TriWest administers this program, allowing veterans to receive TMS therapy at local facilities. Veterans can also access TMS therapy through the VA healthcare system, with coverage for qualifying conditions.
If depression stands as your primary diagnosis and prior treatments, such as medication or therapy, have proven insufficient, you likely qualify for comprehensive coverage. This typically means you need to have treatment-resistant depression or have tried multiple other treatments first. Active-duty personnel should start by consulting with Camp Pendleton’s mental health services for referrals and authorization. Veterans can contact the VA San Diego Healthcare System or work directly with TriWest-contracted providers to access the Community Care Program.
Moment of Clarity offers TMS treatment at our outpatient mental health clinics throughout Southern California. Our personalized and evidence-based treatment ensures each service member has access to a treatment protocol tailored to their specific needs. Find effective, medication-free TMS therapy for depression and anxiety near Camp Pendleton by calling Moment of Clarity at 949-625-0564 for outpatient care.
