Depression is a serious but common medical condition that requires treatment. Major depressive disorder is more than feeling sad for a couple of days. To reach this diagnosis, you must meet certain criteria, including experiencing symptoms that affect your daily activities for at least two weeks.
The most commonly prescribed treatments are antidepressant medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). However, many people do not respond well to antidepressant medications. While talk therapy is effective, it is difficult to make changes to your lifestyle when you are experiencing symptoms. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment option that safely and effectively reduces or treats symptoms of depression. Call our Auburn office today to find out more about TMS and what happens during your first TMS session.
Several key steps happen during your initial TMS session that help improve your treatment outcomes. Your first session, sometimes called an induction, is typically the longest appointment because it includes mapping and finding the motor threshold.
During this first appointment, we map the area of your brain to stimulate and treat your symptoms. For example, when treating depression, we typically target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Mapping begins by determining the motor threshold.
The motor threshold is the minimum amount of electromagnetic stimulation necessary to cause a finger to twitch. This measurement is crucial since it helps personalize the intensity of the magnetic pulses for your treatment and identify and target the specific area of the brain to treat.
The motor threshold is determined by placing the coil over the part of the brain that controls motor function and gradually increasing the intensity of the magnetic pulses until you experience minimal muscle movement or a finger twitch.
We determine the target area using the 5 cm rule, which involves moving the coil 5.5 cm toward the front of the brain from the site in the motor cortex that produced movement during the motor threshold test. This is a general rule, based on average brain size and structure.
This can be changed depending on your anatomy. Throughout treatment, we may adjust the position and parameters depending on your response to therapy. We continually assess the results, which helps us customize the therapy for your maximum benefit.
Before your first session, you may want to learn more about the TMS procedure. Consider talking to trusted friends and family who can be your support system while you are undergoing treatments.
You will work with our office staff to complete all the necessary paperwork and consent forms. Additional forms are necessary if you have insurance. Most insurance companies offer some coverage for TMS therapy, which was FDA-cleared for the treatment of depression in 2008.
Multiple clinical studies and case studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of this treatment. There are two federal laws that mandate insurance providers offer coverage for mental health treatment with the same level of benefits they do for medical and surgical care.
You can work with our financial counselors to learn more about your insurance coverage and discuss payment plans for your out-of-pocket costs if you qualify.
Each treatment takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the intensity of the magnetic pulses and the severity of your condition. The treatment is not invasive and does not require anesthesia, so you can go about your daily activities immediately after completing treatment.
During the session, most people hear a tapping on their head just under the location of the coil. If you experience side effects, they are generally mild and transient. The most common side effects include tingling or discomfort on your skin under the coil, and they typically go away after the first week of treatment. Some people may experience muscle twitching in their face during the treatment or a headache or toothache that resolves relatively quickly after treatment.
TMS therapy requires a 20- to 40-minute treatment session five times weekly for four to six weeks.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is an effective option to treat depression and treatment-resistant depression by reducing or treating your symptoms. The FDA has cleared TMS for major depressive disorder in adults and as an adjunct therapy for major depressive disorder in adolescents aged 15 to 21.
If you are struggling with symptoms of depression and have not received relief, call our Auburn office today and schedule your consultation, where you will learn more about TMS therapy and what happens during your first TMS session.
Adult Indications for Use
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode.
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Adolescent Indications for Use
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15-21).
Important Safety Information
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary.
The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient).
Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.
