We are excited to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as part of our practice options. TMS is a proven nonpharmacological treatment for refractory depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and evidence is increasing for its benefit for many other disorders as well! TMS is safe, FDA-approved, and very well tolerated.
TMS uses the same type of magnetic energy found in MRI machines. Using an FDA-approved TMS device, we apply this magnetic energy to specific areas of the brain, depending on the disorder we are treating. The typical treatment takes only a few minutes and requires no anesthesia or needles. The treatment must be repeated for several consecutive days to be effective, so it does require frequent visits to our office during the treatment course. We believe that the repetitive stimulation of targeted brain areas with magnetic energy helps correct abnormal brain function responsible for the underlying problem.
TMS is mostly used currently for refractory depression. For patients who have failed several medication trials and psychotherapy, TMS can be effective up to 70% of the time, and it can often completely erase the depression! In addition, the improvement can be sustained in most patients for at least a year. We began to offer TMS in 2020 and have seen the effects last for 3 years and counting in some patients.
TMS can be expensive, but it is covered by almost all insurances for certain situations. Typically, for depression, an insurance company will cover the cost if a patient has documented failure of a certain number of medication trials and psychotherapy. However, because TMS is so safe, it can certainly be considered earlier as a treatment option, if a patient so desires and does not require insurance coverage for care.
Please call our office if you are interested in learning more about TMS. How we proceed may depend upon whether you are currently under psychiatric care elsewhere. We typically start with an initial psychiatric consultation to help determine if TMS is a reasonable option for your care. Certain conditions may prevent us from considering TMS due to safety concerns, such as having metal implants in or near your head region or if you have a seizure disorder.
"Before TMS, I was constantly fighting back tears and feeling that I couldn't continue living with such persistent sadness. Thankfully, I didn't give up and was eager to try TMS as soon as I learned about it. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I started feeling better. TMS brought me life changing relief."
- Becky Sittason
