TMS for ADHD
TMS is a non-invasive, drug-free ADHD treatment, supported by clinical research and delivered by one of the most credentialed TMS teams in the Scottsdale/Phoenix metro region.
A Different Approach to ADHD Treatment
ADHD impacts more than attention. For many adults, it impairs executive function, working memory, information processing, and focus regulation, which can affect professional performance in critical ways.
Traditional treatments include stimulant medications, behavioral therapy, and coaching. While effective for many, these options may not suit everyone. Side effects, dependency risks, and inconsistent results prompt many adults, especially high-performing professionals, to find alternatives.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses gentle magnetic pulses to activate neural circuits involved in attention and executive function. TMS increases brain activity in targeted areas, with minimal side effects and no systemic medication.
A 2021 meta-analysis of 12 studies found that high-frequency, multi-site TMS sessions can significantly improve cognitive functions, including information processing, working memory, executive function, and attention.
Call 480-668-3599 for more information.
Why High-Performing Professionals Choose TMS for ADHD
Many adults seeking ADHD treatment at TMS Institute of Arizona are executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and professionals who cannot risk cognitive side effects from stimulant medications or have found stimulants unsustainable.
TMS offers several advantages:
- No stimulant side effects: no appetite suppression, sleep disruption, or cardiovascular risks
- No daily medication management: a defined treatment course instead of an indefinite prescription
- No impairment during treatment: sessions are outpatient, and patients can resume normal activities immediately following their session
- Privacy: self-pay treatment with no insurance claim or stimulant prescription on your record
- Addresses underlying neurology: TMS targets prefrontal cortex circuits involved in attention, planning, and impulse control
- Co-occurring depression or anxiety: TMS is FDA-approved for both MDD and OCD, and ADHD often co-occurs with these conditions
TMS and ADHD: What the Research Shows
TMS is FDA-approved for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). For ADHD, TMS is used off-label, prescribed by physicians based on clinical evidence and professional judgment outside of a formal FDA indication.
Off-label use is common and legal in medicine. Many standard treatments began as off-label applications. At TMS Institute of Arizona, TMS for ADHD is offered only after a thorough clinical evaluation to determine individual appropriateness.
Clinical evidence supporting TMS for ADHD is increasing. Studies show improvements in attention, executive function, and impulse control. Our providers stay current with research and customizes each protocol to the patient’s needs.
TMS vs. Daily Stimulant Medication
Both TMS and stimulant medications can effectively manage ADHD. The table to the right compares these options across key factors for adults considering their choices:
| TMS Therapy | Daily Stimulants | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment type | Non-invasive brain stimulation | Daily oral medication |
| Daily medication required | No | Yes — ongoing |
| Common side effects | Mild scalp tingling or headache (temporary) | Appetite loss, sleep issues, anxiety, cardiovascular effects |
| Dependency / DEA scheduling | None | Schedule II controlled substance |
| Treatment duration | Defined course (~20–36 sessions) | Indefinite — ongoing daily use |
| Works during treatment day | Yes — return to work same day | Typically yes, but side effects vary |
| Insurance coverage for ADHD | Typically self-pay for ADHD indication | Often covered |
| Addresses co-occurring depression/OCD | Yes — FDA-approved for both | Limited |
| Privacy of treatment | Self-pay option available; no stimulant Rx on record | Stimulant prescription on medical/pharmacy record |
What to Expect: Treatment Timeline
Step 1 — Consultation
Your first step is a detailed consultation with one of our doctors, Dr. Ruchir P. Patel or Dr. LaDan Goble. We review your symptoms, history, prior treatments, and goals, and assess for co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, or OCD that may influence your treatment plan and insurance options.
Step 2 — Treatment Protocol Design
If TMS is appropriate, your doctor will design a customized protocol, specifying the targeted brain region, stimulation frequency, and number of sessions. Typical ADHD protocols include at least 36 sessions, delivered five days per week over seven weeks.
Step 3 — TMS Sessions
Each session lasts about 20–40 minutes. You remain seated and awake while the TMS coil is positioned near your scalp. Most patients read, listen to music, or rest. There is no sedation or recovery time required and patients can return to normal activities immediately after their session.
Step 4 — Monitoring & Adjustment
Our clinical team monitors your progress and adjusts treatment parameters as needed. Many patients notice improvements in focus, organization, and mental clarity within two to three weeks.
Step 5 — Follow-Up
After your treatment course, we conduct a follow-up assessment to evaluate outcomes. Many patients maintain benefits for months or years, and some choose periodic maintenance sessions as needed.
Meet Your Clinical Team
TMS Institute of Arizona is led by physicians with some of the most extensive TMS training and credentials in the Phoenix area.
Dr. Ruchir P. Patel, M.D., FACP — Medical Director & Founder
Dr. Patel is the Medical Director and Founder of TMS Institute of Arizona. He is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Obesity Medicine, and has completed TMS training at Duke University School of Medicine, the International TMS Clinical Certification at Maastricht University, and advanced TMS training at Harvard Medical School, taught by leaders in TMS research.
His background in sleep medicine is especially relevant for ADHD patients, as sleep disorders and ADHD often co-occur. Dr. Patel’s integrated perspective offers a comprehensive view of each patient’s neurological health.
Dr. LaDan Goble, M.D. — Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Goble is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience in mental and behavioral health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Honors College at Arizona State University, and received her medical degree from the University of Arizona.
She completed her psychiatry and neurology residency at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, where she was nominated for Resident of the Year. Dr. Goble holds the International Clinical TMS Certification from Maastricht University and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Goble treats a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and ADHD, using a collaborative, evidence-based approach tailored to each patient’s needs.
Call (480) 405-5075 for more information.
Insurance Coverage and Self-Pay
TMS for ADHD: Typically Self-Pay
Because TMS for ADHD is an off-label treatment, most commercial insurance plans do not cover it for an ADHD diagnosis.
Our self-pay patients appreciate:
- Rapid access to care: with no prior authorization delays, we begin treatment on your schedule
- No stimulant prescription on your insurance or pharmacy record
- Confidentiality: information stays between patient and care team, without routine data sharing or preauthorization hurdles
- Transparent, upfront pricing: no unexpected bills
Flexible financing options are available. Please ask our New Patient Coordinator for details.
You May Qualify for Coverage If You Also Have MDD
ADHD often co-occurs with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). If you have a clinically established MDD diagnosis, your TMS treatment may qualify for insurance coverage under that indication, since TMS is FDA-approved for MDD. Our clinical team will assess this during your consultation.
We accept most major insurance plans for covered indications and will verify your benefits as part of the new patient process.
If you have questions about cost or coverage, our New Patient Coordinator can review all options with you before you make any decisions.
Call (480) 405-5075 for more information.
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