Are you eager to find a treatment option for your treatment-resistant depression? Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) therapy could be what you need to change your journey with your depression.
Before you get started, addressing misconceptions about TMS therapy you may have heard and learning how you can benefit from this course of treatment is important. While best used in conjunction with lifestyle changes that support your mental wellbeing, PrTMS® therapy is an effective option for managing the symptoms of your major depressive disorder (MDD).
TMS is a noninvasive treatment option for MDD, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in which electromagnetic pulses are sent to targeted regions of your brain to stimulate activity. These regions are usually under-stimulated when you have MDD, and the stimulation can help improve mood and mental wellness. The treatment can also help encourage neuron growth and development, leading to a consistent increase in neural activity in these regions. Understanding the common misrepresentations surrounding repetitive TMS can help you make a more informed decision if this is the right path for you and your mental health.
As with many new and exciting treatments, there are many misconceptions about repetitive TMS that is important to address.
Although some patients report feeling discomfort or slight pain on the scalp as they begin treatments, most patients adjust to it. Usual side effects include mild scalp sensitivity and sometimes a light headache that goes away shortly after the treatment session ends, meaning there is no serious or lasting pain.
As with any medical treatment, there is a time commitment for PrTMS® therapy, but it is not excessive. Committing to a full course of treatment is necessary for the best results, and that generally means five days of treatment per week for seven weeks. Each patient’s journey is unique, so there is a chance your treatment plan could last longer. However, the daily treatments will only last between 30 and 40 minutes, meaning you can get back to your day in no time.
TMS therapy is not a quick fix solution to managing your treatment-resistant depression, but it is effective. As mentioned, you will undergo seven weeks of treatment, and most patients start to see results between the fourth and sixth week. Your care team will also conduct weekly EEGs to monitor your progress and make personalized adjustments to your treatment as needed. Committing to your mental wellness is important to maintaining your overall health.
While not every insurance company will cover TMS therapy, there is an increase in companies offering coverage for those diagnosed with MDD. It is important to look into your insurance provider’s coverage to see if TMS therapy is covered as a treatment option for your MDD.
If you have any questions about how PrTMS® could be used to treat your treatment-resistant MDD, reach out and schedule a consultation with our skilled team today. We want to help you make the best decision for you, and that begins with being well informed. By addressing the misconceptions about TMS, you can get a good start on your journey to wellness.
Adult Indications for Use
Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) 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.
Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Adolescent Indications for Use
Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15-21).
Important Safety Information
Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if Personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS®) 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).
