When depression lingers after you have tried multiple antidepressant options, it is easy to start wondering whether anything will help. Your current treatment may not be fully addressing experiences like getting through the workday on autopilot, pulling away from people you care about, or feeling flat in moments that once brought you joy. Those experiences are real, and they deserve a treatment plan that takes them seriously.
rTMS therapy in Pittsburgh offers a different path for adults whose symptoms have not responded well to medication alone. At The Nexus Group, our transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy program uses the Apollo system, which is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder and as an add-on treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Since most major insurance plans cover this treatment, we can help you explore it without guessing about cost.
During a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) session in Pittsburgh, you sit awake in a reclined chair while a magnetic coil rests against your scalp and sends pulses to areas of the brain involved in mood. No anesthesia is needed.
Depending on the protocol your psychiatrist selects, a session may take only a few minutes or last up to about 40 minutes. You may notice a tapping sensation under the coil, and some people feel mild scalp discomfort or a headache early in the course of treatment.
Many adults who come to us for rTMS are surprised by how ordinary the routine feels once they settle in. You can listen to music during treatment, and our team stays nearby to adjust the coil and check on your comfort. Afterward, you can drive yourself home and return to work the same day.
The Apollo system is FDA-cleared to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who have not improved enough with oral antidepressants. It is also cleared as an adjunctive treatment for OCD in adults, which means you would continue the other OCD care you already receive.
Pittsburgh patients considering rTMS will first meet with one of our psychiatrists for a full evaluation. We review your medication history, past therapies, and medical factors that could affect eligibility, such as implanted metal devices or a history of seizures. If rTMS is not the right match, we will talk openly with you about other options.
Dr. Greg Thorkelson, our medical director, completed advanced TMS training at Duke and Harvard Medical Schools and oversees each patient’s plan. He works alongside our certified TMS clinicians, who track your symptoms over the six to nine weeks of treatment, with sessions typically scheduled five days a week.
Starting rTMS treatment in Pittsburgh also involves paperwork that can feel sometimes overwhelming. Our patient advocates review your benefits, prepare any prior authorization requests your plan requires, and keep you informed while approval moves forward. That way, your energy can stay focused on your recovery.
Living with persistent depression or OCD can wear down your sense of hope, especially after several treatments have fallen short. Repetitive magnetic stimulation gives you an option that does not add another pill to your routine, with a schedule built around your daily life.
If you would like to learn more about rTMS therapy in Pittsburgh, our team at The Nexus Group is ready to answer your questions and check your insurance coverage. Call our office or request an appointment online, and we will help you take the next step toward feeling more like yourself.
