TMS Specialist

What is TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment option for depression. The procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate the nerve cells in your brain to relieve depression symptoms.

You may be a candidate for TMS if you suffer from depression that’s not treatable with other therapies, including talk therapy and medications. A Ray of Hope: Great Lakes Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry provides assessments for depression to determine if TMS is a viable treatment option for you.

What is dTMS?

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, or dTMS, at A Ray of Hope: Great Lakes Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry works in a similar way as TMS. However, dTMS treatment penetrates deeper than the conventional TMS treatment.

dTMS is a more effective treatment for patients who have treatment-resistant depression or who have not seen significant improvements with superficial TMS therapy.

What can I expect during TMS or dTMS treatment?

Whether you and your provider choose TMS or dTMS for the treatment of your condition, the process follows a similar approach.

During your TMS procedure, your doctor places an electromagnetic coil near your forehead. This coil delivers pulses of magnetic energy through your scalp to stimulate nerve cells in your brain.

The TMS technology produces pulses of energy, and you may hear clicking sounds and feel tapping on your head throughout your treatment.

TMS and dTMS treatment targets the area of your brain that regulates your mood and contributes to depressive symptoms. The goal of TMS is to activate regions of your brain that are experiencing a decrease in activity that leads to depression.

Because TMS and dTMS are non-invasive, you won’t need sedation, and you can go back to your usual activities soon after the procedure. The risk for side effects from TMS are minimal but may include:

• Headache
• Tingling
• Lightheadedness
• Muscle twitches in the face

Your doctor monitors you for these side effects following your treatment and assesses how well TMS works for your depression.

How many TMS treatments do I need?

While everyone with depression has different needs, you can expect to need a series of TMS treatments to optimize your results. Your physician can discuss how many treatments you need based on your personal medical history, your existing health, and the severity of your depression.

Typically, symptoms of depression begin to improve or resolve completely within a few weeks of treatment. Your provider may recommend other depression treatments, including talk therapy and medications, after you complete your TMS session to prevent the return of depressive symptoms.

If you’re still experiencing depressive symptoms even with treatment, find out if you’re a candidate for TMS by calling A Ray of Hope: Great Lakes Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry, or by requesting an evaluation through the online booking feature today.