Can TMS treat anxiety symptoms? 7 answers you should know

If you’re living with anxiety, there’s a constant sense that something isn’t right. Symptoms like racing thoughts, muscle tension and trouble sleeping can cause overwhelming distress. If you’ve talked about your concerns with your primary physician, it’s likely that you’ve already explored some options, such as therapy or medications. 

When first-line treatments haven’t brought enough relief, you might start researching other options, such as TMS for anxiety. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can treat a variety of mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and OCD. But it can also be an option for people experiencing depression with anxious features, known as anxious depression.

So, can TMS treat anxiety symptoms? The answer is nuanced, and it’s important to understand how this treatment works and who it’s best for.

Below are seven key answers to help you make an informed decision alongside your provider.

1. Is TMS approved to treat anxiety?

At this moment, TMS isn’t currently FDA-approved to treat anxiety disorders on their own. However, this is where things get important:

• Many people with depression also experience significant anxiety symptoms.
• When anxiety is part of anxious depression, TMS can help address both sets of symptoms.
• TMS is also FDA-approved to treat OCD, which can cause severe anxiety.

So while TMS for anxiety as a standalone diagnosis isn’t approved, it can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms when they’re tied to depression or OCD.

2. How does TMS affect anxiety symptoms?

TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. At PTC, TMS targets the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, areas involved in mood regulation and emotional processing.

When anxiety is connected to depression or OCD, it often involves dysregulation within certain neuronal networks. TMS can work by:

• Regulating activity in those neuronal networks
• Supporting healthier communication between brain regions
• Promoting neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new connections

As brain activity becomes more stable, many patients notice improved symptoms related to anxiety, such as:

• Reduced physical tension
• Fewer racing thoughts
• Improved sleep
• A greater sense of calm

While everyone’s experience is different, research shows TMS can significantly reduce symptoms of anxious depression.

3. Who is a good candidate for TMS if they have anxiety?

Even though approximately 19% of the U.S. adult population has an anxiety disorder, TMS may not be the best treatment for everyone with anxiety symptoms. 

TMS may be appropriate if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with major depressive disorder
• Your depression includes anxious features
• You’ve tried at least two antidepressant medications without sufficient improvement
• You experience moderate to severe depression symptoms

If your anxiety exists without depression or OCD, TMS may not be the first recommendation. In that case, your provider will discuss other evidence-based options.

4. What does TMS treatment feel like?

One reason many people explore TMS for anxiety-related symptoms is its noninvasive nature.

Here’s what you can expect from TMS sessions:

• You remain awake during treatment 
• A TMS technician positions a magnetic coil against your scalp
• You’ll feel a tapping sensation during pulses
• Each session lasts about 20 minutes
• There is no anesthesia required
• You can drive yourself home afterward

The standard course of treatment is 36 sessions over six to eight weeks.

Unlike medication, TMS doesn’t circulate through your entire body. This means the side effect burden is typically much lower than many antidepressants. Most people experience only mild scalp discomfort or headache early in treatment. It’s important to have an open conversation with your provider about potential side effects and expectations.

5. Can TMS reduce physical anxiety symptoms?

Yes — when anxiety is connected to depression or OCD, many patients report improvement in physical symptoms such as:

• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating

Because TMS helps regulate the neuronal networks responsible for mood and stress responses, it can indirectly calm the body’s stress system.

It’s important to note that results vary. Some people notice improvements within a few weeks, while others experience gradual change over the full course of treatment.

6. Is TMS better than medication for anxiety?

Medication is often the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, and it can be effective for many people. However, some individuals experience unwanted side effects or don’t achieve adequate symptom relief.

TMS offers an alternative for people with treatment-resistant depression or anxious depression who haven’t responded to at least two cycles of medications.

Unlike medication:

• TMS doesn’t cause weight gain
• TMS doesn’t cause sexual side effects
• TMS doesn’t require daily dosing

PTC can provide TMS to help your anxious depression

Even though TMS can’t treat anxiety symptoms on their own, it can be an effective option if your anxiety stems from a depression diagnosis. At PTC, our team of licensed clinicians can help determine if it’s the right course of action for your mental health journey.

We have several TMS therapy locations across Los Angeles and Georgia, including:

• Hollywood
• Beverly Grove
• Hinesville

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.