Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression. Patients have used TMS therapy since the 1980s to get relief from their depression symptoms. This non-invasive procedure uses magnetic fields to encourage activity in underperforming regions of the brain.
As you consider different treatments for your MDD, you want something that provides results. The FDA has cleared TMS as a therapy for MDD and treatment-resistant depression, and it is insurance-covered. Our skilled medical professionals at the Nexus Group are here to explain each step of the TMS process and are happy to answer any questions you may have about how TMS therapy in Pittsburgh works and how it can benefit you.
When you speak to our Pittsburgh team, they will discuss how TMS functions as an alternative to traditional depression therapies. Some people choose to pursue TMS therapy because it is a non-invasive procedure, which means it does not involve surgery. Other people choose to pursue TMS therapy because they are seeking non-medication-based treatment options. Psychiatric medications treat depression symptoms but often have negative side effects that many patients dislike. TMS has far fewer side effects than many antidepressants.
One of the primary reasons people choose to undergo TMS therapy is that they are experiencing treatment-resistant depression. When traditional medications and therapies are not working, patients can feel hopeless and overwhelmed. TMS therapy can provide relief from your depressive symptoms even when medication has failed.
You may be an ideal candidate for TMS therapy if you:
Although TMS therapy is FDA-cleared, it can lower the seizure threshold, so it is dangerous for those predisposed to seizures to undergo it. Our Pittsburgh team will tell you that the TMS process works by using a magnetic field to help stimulate your brain, so you cannot have any metal implants because the magnet that produces the magnetic field may move them.
Our Pittsburgh team will also explain how your TMS schedule will work. There will be around seven weeks of sessions, and you will have appointments several times each week. Each visit will last for around 30 minutes. You will not need any downtime after your treatments and will be able to resume your regular schedule without any delays.
During your first treatment session, our technician will ensure that all the measurements are correct. They will position and adjust a coil that contains the magnet to better target the appropriate regions of your brain. They will then adjust the magnet strength. During this procedure, you may hear a tapping sound and initially feel some discomfort. It is likely to go away as you become accustomed to the procedure. You may also have some minor headaches.
During each standard TMS session, you will sit in a comfortable chair and wear hearing protection. Our skilled team member will place and activate the TMS device, which will engulf parts of your brain in a magnetic field that encourages brain activity. You will sit for around 20 minutes until the device finishes working, and then you will be free to leave.
You can take control of your life with TMS treatments. Call us today to schedule an initial appointment with our skilled team—and find out how TMS therapy in Pittsburgh works. We are here to answer your questions.
