TMS is a form of non-invasive therapy that stimulates different parts of the brain. Available at the TMS Institute of Arizona, we work with patients to address a wide variety of concerns using a series of magnetic pulses that change brain activity patterns. This therapy was recently featured in Psychology Today, pointing out that it can do much more than “cure depression” (although helping with severe, treatment-resistant depression is one of the most common reasons patients seek out TMS). TMS has been FDA-approved for 15 years, but has only recently made waves and headlines as it becomes more of a household term.
If you have not had the success you would like with antidepressant medications, TMS may be able to help. Results over the years have been excellent with, as the lead author says, “people quickly recovering from depression while being treated.” During each treatment session, a TMS coil generates short, hyper-focused magnetic pulses that pass through the skull into the key brain regions. Not only is it non-invasive, but it’s also painless—although the sensation can feel a bit strange.
How TMS Works
TMS depends on a form of electromagnetic induction. Strong magnetic fields are turned off and on in rapid succession via the coil, which in turn creates an electric current that affects brain cells. Your provider controls both the timing and intensity of the pulses. Sessions are relatively short (no matter what type of TMS you get, as there is “regular” and accelerated protocols), and you sit in a chair while the coil is positioned on the head. Test pulses are sent during your first session in order to pinpoint the correct location (and strength) needed for your personalized treatment. Your thumb will slightly twitch during testing and oftentimes during your treatment. Once the right location is identified, it’s saved in your file so it can be immediately returned to in forthcoming sessions. You may come back multiple times in a day or every few days, depending on your treatment protocol.
The magnetic pulses delivered to the brain cells can either increase or decrease their activity. There are many areas of the brain that are always communicating with each other, so changing one area can shift another. Ultimately, TMS changes how different areas of the brain communicate with one another. All TMS protocols require multiple sessions (just one session isn’t going to help with depression or any other ailment). “Neurons that fire together wire together” is a common phrase in neuroscience, which underscores how brain cells become more responsive to each other over time. TMS isn’t changing brain activity in the moment but rather it creates long-lasting positive change.
TMS and You
When you receive multiple TMS sessions, you’re taking charge and making new brain patterns where you need them most—outside, in the real world. TMS has been approved to treat depression since 2008, but recently there have been a lot of changes. For instance, the FDA recently approved a quicker version of TMS for depression that is completed in just five days. It can also be used to help with migraines, OCD, PTSD, anxiety, and much more. The FDA gave TMS “breakthrough device designation” for treating bipolar disorder, which is the penultimate step before approval. It’s expected that as we learn more about the brain, TMS will continue to be approved for even more conditions.
For now, if you’re struggling with any kind of mental disorder, TMS may be able to help. Scheduling a consultation can help you determine if you’re a good candidate for TMS. At our clinic, we offer “regular” TMS, which is often covered by major insurance plans, as well as accelerated options that require out-of-pocket pay (but work well for those on a tight schedule or who are traveling from out of town for their treatment). Although TMS is most renowned for helping with depression that isn’t being properly controlled with medication, many patients are also considering TMS because they hope to move away from Rx’s for a variety of reasons. If you or your teen are looking for a non-invasive alternative to medications for mental health, contact the TMS Institute or Arizona today to schedule a consultation. Call the office during business hours or complete the online contact form.
