Dr. Adam P. Stern of Harvard indicates that nearly two-thirds of patients don’t receive relief after trying their first attempt at using prescription anti-depressants. You’re not alone if you’re suffering from symptoms of depression and aren’t receiving effective results from your current treatments. Under these circumstances, it’s worth researching TMS therapy and what to expect from the sessions. In this guide, we discuss what you can expect from TMS therapy for depression, anxiety, and addiction. We’ll also take a look at the potential side effects, why it’s a useful option, and how to know if it’s right for you.
TMS Therapy and What to Expect
When you’re wondering about TMS therapy and what to expect, that includes the treatment process and results. Once your doctor performs an assessment and prescribes an appropriate TMS therapy for anxiety or other mental health conditions, you’ll receive an appointment for a doctor or nurse to administer the treatment.
During the treatment, the doctor or nurse places one magnetic coil on your head. The magnet’s strength is similar to what you find in an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine. Because the treatment involves magnets, the doctor or nurse should ask that you remove or put away all magnet-sensitive objects. That includes credit cards and jewelry.
The Potential Side Effects and Risk Factors of TMS
While there are several benefits to using TMS therapy, you should also be aware of the potential side effects and risk factors.
- Facial twitches: During treatment, it’s normal for patients to feel twitching on their faces.
- Headaches: Following a TMS treatment session, approximately half of the patients experience a headache.
- Hearing issues: Because the machine makes loud noises, patients receive earplugs. However, it’s normal to experience hearing issues, especially if you don’t wear earplugs.
- Scalp discomfort: Patients might experience some discomfort on their scalp where the coil attaches, but it subsides throughout the treatment.
- Seizure: There’s a low chance of seizures occurring following TMS therapy, according to John’s Hopkins University.
The side effects, such as facial twitching and headaches, generally lessen in frequency as treatment continue. If the potential risks of TMS therapy concern you, speak with a specialist before dismissing treatment. Often, patients find the benefits outweigh the side effects that may occur.
Why TMS Therapy is an Effective Option
As many as 30% of patients receive favorable results following TMS treatment. As high as a 73% remission rate occurs following a patient’s second course of treatments. Despite those high success rates, some patients experience a reoccurrence. However, after receiving a booster, patients can prevent depression relapse.
This effective treatment, when medication fails, gives patients the quality of life they deserve.
Is TMS Therapy Right for You?
It isn’t uncommon for patients to have questions about TMS therapy and what to expect, especially when deciding if it’s right for them. If you’re not receiving favorable results from anti-depression medications and therapy, you might qualify as a candidate for TMS therapy. You might also benefit from using TMS therapy in conjunction with other therapies.
When considering TMS therapy for depression treatment, your doctor needs to know:
- If you’re currently pregnant or have plans for pregnancy
- A list of your current medications, if any
- If you have any other mental health diagnosis aside from depression
- If you’re suffering from other medical conditions
Depression Treatment
If you’ve tried anti-depressants unsuccessfully, it’s worth understanding TMS therapy and what to expect. If you know someone who is struggling even though they’re trying many treatment methods, encourage them to look at TMS therapy. Contact TMS Therapy Now at 866.305.7668 for more information regarding TMS therapy and what to expect.
