The Benefits and Advantages of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

The Benefits and Advantages of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

In the mental health treatment landscape, the need for effective interventions for treatment-resistant depression looms large. Traditional methods, such as medication and therapy, often fall short, leaving many individuals trapped in a cycle of despair. One of our patients recently spoke with CBS about how ineffective previous treatments were until they discovered transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS for short.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, drug-free treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant depression and may have even greater effectiveness with off-label use. The advantages of TMS are immediately apparent. With its gentle, non-invasive nature and targeted stimulation of specific brain regions implicated in depression, TMS presents a promising solution for those who have exhausted other options.

Understanding Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
What is TMS Therapy?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an innovative non-invasive procedure used in the treatment of various mental health conditions, particularly depression. Unlike traditional treatments such as medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which may come with significant side effects or risks like memory loss, TMS offers a gentler approach by utilizing magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation 5 days a week for 6 weeks has been shown to improve PTSD, chronic pain, nicotine cravings, and even autism and ADHD.

How Does TMS Therapy Work?

During a TMS session, a specialized device delivers repetitive magnetic pulses to targeted regions of the brain, activating nerve cells and promoting neural connectivity. The benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation is believed to modulate brain activity, ultimately leading to improvements in mood and alleviation of depressive symptoms. With its safety profile and promising efficacy, TMS has emerged as a promising alternative for individuals seeking relief from treatment-resistant depression and other mental health disorders.

The Disadvantages of Traditional Mental Health Treatments

Despite the progress made in mental health treatment, conventional methods are not without their shortcomings. Medications, while effective for some, often come with a slew of side effects ranging from weight gain to sexual dysfunction and even worsening symptoms in some cases. Additionally, finding the right medication and dosage can be a lengthy trial-and-error process, prolonging the suffering of individuals already grappling with the debilitating effects of depression.

Talk therapy, while valuable, may not yield relief for those in acute distress. Furthermore, access to specialized therapists and the financial burden of long-term therapy can pose significant barriers to treatment. These limitations underscore the pressing need for alternative approaches like TMS, which offer hope for individuals resistant to or intolerant of conventional treatments.

Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of TMS

As with any medical intervention, there are pros and cons to treatment. 

Advantages of TMS
Gentle and Non-Invasive

The first of many advantages of TMS is that it's a gentle and non-invasive treatment. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure used to treat depression and certain other mental health conditions. Unlike other treatments that might involve surgery or medication, TMS simply involves sitting in a chair while a special device sends magnetic pulses to specific parts of your brain. It's like giving your brain a tiny nudge to wake up your brain cells and get them working again. There's no need for anesthesia or recovery time, so you can drive and get back to your day right after your session.

Targeted Treatment

One advantage of TMS is that it's customized specifically for each individual. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, TMS targets the exact areas of your brain that are involved in Treatment-Resistant Depression. One of these exact areas is known as the DLPFC, or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. By stimulating these specific regions, TMS helps to restore balance and improve a patient’s overall mood.

Minimal Side Effects

When it comes to treating treatment-resistant depression, side effects can be a real issue. But one of the best advantages of TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression is that you don't have to worry about that. Most people find that TMS is well-tolerated and causes minimal side effects. Some symptoms that a patient may experience include a minor headache or tingling sensation during your session, but it's usually nothing too bothersome and will not last longer than 24 hours. This is why TMS is such a popular choice for many people because medications can often be associated with a lot of side effects that TMS does not have.

Quick Sessions

TMS treatment time can differ depending on the condition being treated, but the standard treatment takes about 15-30 minutes total to complete. Though it is a commitment to come 5 days a week for 6 weeks, most antidepressants don't start to work until 4-6 weeks into treatment. By the time an individual begins to feel relief from TMS, they might have already been done with TMS treatment and may not have needed to start any antidepressants in the first place.

For depression-specific treatment, a coil is placed on the patient’s head for about 18.5 minutes. Starting in the 2^nd week of treatment, your technician will begin the anxiety treatment as well which will add an additional 9-12 minutes. These short sessions are a great advantage of TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression because treatment can easily fit into a patient’s busy schedule.

Long-Lasting Results

Unlike some treatments that only provide temporary relief, TMS has been shown to provide long-lasting results. That means you won't have to keep coming back for more sessions indefinitely – once you've completed your treatment course, you can expect to enjoy lasting improvements in your mood and overall well-being. Some patients may need to return intermittently for 1-2 week maintenance, but patients can expect to reap the benefits of treatment for at least a year or longer after treatment.

Customized Treatment Pans

When it comes to your mental health, one size definitely doesn't fit all. One of the advantages of TMS fis that it allows for customized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Your provider and technician will work with you to develop a personalized treatment strategy to include nutritional psychiatry, social prescribing, therapy and other lifestyle changes. With our unique storytelling exercise, you will be able to not only recover from depression and anxiety but how to optimize your life to achieve your overall goals.

Affordability and Accessibility

You might be thinking, "Sounds great, but is TMS really accessible to everyone who qualifies?" One of the advantages of TMS is that it is covered by most insurance plans if you've tried 2 or more antidepressants in the past. TMS has become more widely offered at outpatient clinics, making it an accessible option for many people. Whether you're seeking treatment through a hospital, clinic, or private practice, chances are you'll be able to find a provider near you who offers TMS. Here at Axis, because we believe in providing care to as many people as possible, we have created the only scholarship program of its kind in Colorado to cover Medicaid patients who may be interested in TMS. Whatever insurance you may have, we will work with you to provide you the care you need at the lowest cost possible.

Fun Fact: Axis Integrated Mental Health is THE ONLY clinic in Colorado to accept Medicaid patients for TMS therapy.

Collaborative Care Delivers Better Results

Advantages of TMS include the level of collaboration between psychiatric providers, therapists and technicians that accompanies it. It is rare that any mental health provider sees a patient daily for 6 weeks. The nature of TMS treatment allows us to see more details about the true state of your mental health issues, their drivers, and create better treatment options for your condition. In the past, we've been able to help identify previously unidentified conditions like sleep problems and other skills deficits and correct them by reporting our observations to the patient's provider and therapist.

Synergistic Effects When Combined with Other Treatments

By stimulating the areas of the brain involved with depression and anxiety, TMS creates neuroplasticity which improves mental health. When combined with other treatments like Ketamine or Spravato that also create neuroplasticity, we've seen patients enhance their results.

Disadvantages of TMS

While the advantages of tms therapy includes promising benefits in the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions, it is essential to acknowledge and understand its potential drawbacks. Like any medical intervention, there are pros and cons of tms therapy. From time commitments to the possibility of side effects, exploring the disadvantages of TMS therapy provides a comprehensive understanding and enable individuals can make informed decisions about whether TMS therapy is the right option for their unique needs and circumstances.

Time Commitment

Even if each appointment is short, 6 weeks of treatment may be challenging for people who work. Thankfully, Colorado workers are guaranteed paid medical leave up to 90% of their salaries through the FAMLI program (not to be confused with FMLA). You can download our FAMLI Primer to see if FAMLI may be a good program to support your continued treatment.

Mild Headache

Some people experience a mild headache with TMS that goes away. For those with migraines, TMS can trigger migraines during treatment.

Variable Response

While many individuals experience significant improvement in symptoms with TMS therapy, it may not be effective for everyone. Response rates can vary, and some individuals may not achieve the desired outcomes despite undergoing treatment.

Embracing Hope with TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy presents a pragmatic solution for treatment-resistant depression. Among the many advantages of TMS, its targeted approach, minimal side effects, and personalized treatment plans offer tangible benefits for individuals seeking relief. Moving forward, embracing TMS therapy means embracing a future filled with promise and potential. If you or someone you know struggles with treatment-resistant depression, consider exploring the possibilities offered by TMS therapy.