7 benefits of TMS therapy for depression you should know

Mental health providers use several methods to treat depression. One technique includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which involves using magnetic fields to influence the parts of the brain that are involved in mood regulation. This treatment option is usually recommended for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), in which depressive symptoms have not responded to at least two trials of traditional antidepressant medications. 

But how effective is TMS? 

Evidence suggests that about 82% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience noticeable positive changes in their mental health through TMS. Also, about 65% of these individuals achieve full remission. At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we offer this innovative treatment option as part of our comprehensive mental health services. Read on to learn about the potential advantages of using TMS therapy for depression.

1. TMS may help with emotional balance.

TMS therapy for depression targets the brain’s left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This part of your brain is linked to your symptoms and responsible for things like executive function, decision-making and emotional regulation. By stimulating activity in this part of your brain, TMS may enable you to become better at managing your emotions and other tasks.

2. TMS can help improve your mood.

TMS encourages your brain to release a variety of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine as well as glutamate and GABA. It is thought to result in the release of neurotransmitters as well as restore the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain in order to help relieve the symptoms of major depression. After a few weeks, you may notice small improvements in some of the core mood-related symptoms that you’ve been experiencing (e.g., sadness or hopelessness). 

3. TMS can help you sleep better and feel more energized.

Sleep and mental health are connected. Sleep deprivation can make it harder to cope with stress and regulate your emotions, and depression symptoms, like troubling thought patterns, may prevent you from getting enough rest at night. Also, serotonin and dopamine affect your sleep patterns. As your brain chemistry improves, you may find that you’re starting to sleep better at night and feel more energized and motivated during the day.

4. TMS can reduce symptoms of anxious depression.

The FDA has cleared TMS for use in treating depression with co-occurring anxiety. This means that it’s not just for people solely diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Research shows that if you have depression with anxious features, you might start to feel less anxious and less depressed.

5. TMS is noninvasive and drug-free.

TMS is a noninvasive, drug-free treatment for depression. You enjoy zero downtime after a treatment session and don’t have to worry about the negative systemic side effects associated with some medications, like weight gain, GI issues and others. Once you’ve completed a session, you can return to your normal daily activities.

6. TMS can be used alongside other treatments.

TMS therapy is personalized to your needs. This means that the intensity, frequency and duration of the magnetic pulses are adjusted based on how you respond to treatment, and you can safely use this treatment along with several others. For instance, many patients find that combining TMS with medication and psychotherapy helps manage their condition better.

7. TMS is used for treatment-resistant disorders.

If you have treatment-resistant depression, it can feel overwhelming to go through several medications and therapies without seeing any improvements in your mental health. TMS can be a vital treatment option that improves your quality of life and daily functioning. 

How long does it take for TMS to work and does it last?

TMS is designed to work gradually, and everyone responds to treatment a little differently. It’s administered in a series of sessions across six weeks, often followed by a taper, for a total of 36 treatments. You may notice some improvements within a few weeks, or it may take a little longer. The success rate of TMS therapy depends on several factors, such as your:

• Severity of symptoms
• TMS session consistency
• Psychotropic medication usage
• Mindset and personality traits, like resilience
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Additional treatment methods

The time frame for how long relief from TMS lasts is also variable. Talking to your provider can help you gauge if this treatment is right for you and what the outlook might be based on your individual circumstances.

Receive TMS therapy for depression at PTC Med

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression and it’s been hard to find a medication or therapy that works for you, we encourage you to talk to the licensed mental health professionals at PTC Med about TMS. We understand how important it is to find solutions that show real improvements and are personalized to your needs. Our compassionate, experienced providers treat a wide range of mental health disorders using evidence-based therapies in calm, welcoming settings that help our patients feel at ease.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also book your initial appointment online now.