Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. They lose interest in things they once cared about and sometimes even come to the point of harming themselves. TMS therapy can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of depression in individuals. The founder and executive chairman of GIA Miami, Dr. Antonello Bonci, is a pioneer in the application of TMS therapy to a variety of disorders. If you or someone you care about is battling depression, it is worth learning more about this innovative treatment today.
What Is TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy relies on the use of magnetic fields on the nerve cells of the brain. The non-invasive procedure stimulates those nerve cells, which can alleviate the symptoms of depression. Your mental health professional may recommend TMS therapy if you are not responding to other depression treatments.
A typical TMS session starts with placing an electromagnetic coil on your scalp around the forehead region. The device sends magnetic pulses to the nerve cells that help control your mood and depression. The main goal of TMS therapy is to activate more dormant regions of your brain that can have little to do with depression activity.
Patients typically receive daily treatments five times a week for a period of four to six weeks. Each session typically lasts around 30 to 40 minutes. Your doctor may adjust the lengths of these treatments depending on your individual response.
What Are the Benefits of TMS Therapy?
Below are some of the many benefits of TMS therapy noted by mental health professionals and clients:
It Doesn’t Require Anesthesia
Because the procedure is non-invasive, patients can stay awake throughout the entire session. Most patients have no issues tolerating the procedure. It’s also done on an outpatient basis, allowing clients to continue a normal daily routine.
It is an FDA-Approved Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration issued approval for TMS therapy for depression treatment back in 2008.
Related: Is TMS Painful?
There Are No Significant Memory Impacts
You might be concerned about the potential effects of TMS therapy on your memory. There have been no studies that show any real impacts on a person’s memory after receiving TMS therapy for depression.
Is TMS Therapy Right for Me?
No treatment modality is right for every patient. However, if you are battling depression, dealing with trauma or PTSD, suffering from a personality disorder, or suffering from issues involving addiction, TMS therapy may be right for you.
TMS therapy is not recommended for individuals with certain devices like:
- Stents
- Aneurysm coils or clips
- Deep brain stimulators
- Electrodes currently monitoring brain activity
- Magnetic implants
- Any implanted electrical devices
- Cochlear implants
- Bullet fragments
- Other metal devices or implants
Likewise, your doctor may advise you not to have TMS Therapy if you:
- Are currently taking medication
- Constantly experience headaches
- Are dealing with bran damage from an injury or illness
- Have been diagnosed with other mental health disorders
- Have a history of seizures or epilepsy
- Are managing other medical issues
You may experience side effects after receiving TMS therapy. Those effects are typically mild and moderate, with most clients reporting improvement over time after participating in additional sessions.
They can include:
- Headaches
- Spasms or twitching of the facial muscles
- Tingling sensations
- Feelings of lightheadedness
- Scalp discomfort at the TMS therapy administration site
While they typically occur very rarely, it is possible to incur more serious side effects from TMS therapy, including:
- Onset of seizures
- Mania, more likely to occur in people working to manage bipolar disorder
- Hearing loss because of inadequate ear protection during the session
You should inform your mental health professional and other doctors participating in your care immediately about any side effects you may be experiencing. They can adjust the stimulation levels or recommend medication that can help with the symptoms.
Read more: How long does TMS Therapy last
Learn More About TMS Therapy at GIA Miami
GIA Miami prides itself on being at the forefront of cutting-edge treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues. Reach out to our expert, compassionate team of caregivers online today or call us at (833) 713-0828 to learn more.
