Transcranial magnetic stimulation near me: 5 things you can expect during treatment

When you’ve been struggling with depression for a long time, finding the right treatment can feel like a long, uncertain road. Many people try multiple medications, psychotherapy or lifestyle changes and still feel stuck in the same difficult cycle. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. An estimated 21 million U.S. adults experience at least one major depressive episode each year, and about one-third of people with depression don’t respond fully to medication.

This is one reason more people are exploring transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment that supports the brain’s natural ability to regulate mood. It’s safe, medication-free and has been used in clinical practice for years. Thanks to deep TMS, up to 82% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience significant improvement, and many achieve full remission. 

5 things you can expect during TMS treatment

Starting any new medical treatment can bring up questions and maybe a little uncertainty. Our goal is to make the process clear and easy to understand. Knowing what to expect can help you start your journey with confidence. Here are several things you can expect from the moment you walk into a TMS clinic to the final session. 

1. Brain mapping

Your very first TMS session will include a special step called “mapping” or “motor threshold determination.” This is essential to make sure the treatment is perfectly personalized for you. You’ll sit in a comfortable treatment chair. The TMS technician will place the TMS coil near your head. They’ll look for the area of your brain that controls the movement of your hand. 

They’ll start with very small magnetic pulses and slowly increase the strength until your thumb or hand gives a tiny, involuntary twitch. This helps the team find the exact right spot and the exact right strength, your motor threshold, needed to treat the mood center of your brain. 

This process helps ensure that the treatment is precise and targeted only to the specific part of the brain, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, that needs help. This precision is why TMS is so effective and avoids widespread side effects. 

2. Sensations

Once your mapping is complete, you’ll begin treatment sessions. During sessions, you’ll be fully awake and alert the entire time. You can watch TV, listen to music, read a book, or just close your eyes and relax. 

When the machine is running, you’ll hear a repetitive clicking sound. It sounds a bit like an MRI machine or a finger tapping rapidly against a magnet. You’ll also feel a tapping sensation on your scalp right under the coil. 

If the tapping feels too strong or uncomfortable at any point, simply tell your provider. They can make minor adjustments to the coil’s position or the stimulation level. The first few sessions are often the most noticeable, but your scalp usually adjusts quickly. 

3. Session and recovery time

One of the biggest advantages of TMS over other advanced treatments is the convenience and lack of downtime. A standard TMS session usually lasts 10-20 minutes, and a typical treatment course usually involves sessions five days a week for about four to six weeks. This commitment is necessary to allow the brain pathways to rebuild and strengthen, a process called neuroplasticity. 

Because TMS is noninvasive and doesn’t use anesthesia, there is zero recovery time. You can drive yourself to and from the clinic, and you can go straight back to work, school or your daily activities immediately after treatment. 

4. Side effects

Unlike some antidepressant medications that can cause side effects across your whole body like weight gain, sleep problems or sexual side effects, TMS side effects are generally mild and localized. 

The most common side effect is a mild headache or localized discomfort at the treatment site, which usually starts during the first week. This can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medicine, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. 

Some people have reported minor muscle twitching in the face during the session or lightheadedness right afterward, but these are rare and temporary. 

5. Results

It’s important to have realistic expectations about the timeline for recovery. TMS is a rebuilding process, not a switch that turns off depression instantly. 

Studies show that for people with treatment-resistant depression, TMS can lead to significant response rates. Approximately 80% of people who haven’t benefited from antidepressants experience a meaningful improvement in their symptoms with deep TMS. 

Find lasting recovery with TMS at Psychiatry Treatment Centers

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we’re dedicated to providing kind, supportive and effective care. We believe that everyone deserves to feel well, and we offer advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato®. 

With locations in California and Georgia, our teams are here to answer all your questions, check your coverage and guide you through every step of the TMS process. You don’t have to continue facing depression alone.

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.