TMS Is A Proven, Safe And Low Side-Effect Treatment Method

Image Source: Reliant Family Psychiatry

Although there are many different forms of therapy for treating depression, in individual cases these can be unsatisfactory due to a lack of effectiveness. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS for short, offers a new form of treatment, complementary or alternative to other forms of therapy. 

TMS is free of the side effects typically associated with antidepressant medications, including weight gain, fatigue or sexual dysfunction.

TMS has been used successfully in many therapy studies worldwide. New stimulation protocols such as theta burst stimulation (TBS) now make it possible for the therapeutic effect of a 45-minute stimulation session to be achieved after just 3 minutes .

What exactly happens during transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?

In TMS, a magnetic coil is placed on the head. The series of pulses emitted by the coil stimulate nerve cell activity. In this way, the network disturbance that is currently thought to underlie depression is normalized.

Treatment with TMS can complement the usual medication and psychotherapy treatments and can also help when medication and psychotherapy alone are not sufficient for therapeutic success. 

What improvements can occur with treatment?

The positive effects of TMS therapy can vary greatly. Some patients report more clarity in their mind and better control over negative thought patterns, others report more energy during the day and an improvement in appetite and nighttime sleep. 

Overall, most patients experience a noticeable improvement in individual symptoms or in the disease as a whole during the course of treatment. In many cases, TMS can substantially improve symptoms such as bad mood, tormenting lack of motivation, negative self-image and the feeling of no longer being able to perform mentally.

Do health insurance companies reimburse the TMS?

Most private insurance companies cover the costs. However, it is recommended that you clarify this with your insurer beforehand. At Reliant Family Psychiatry clinic in Mansfield and Grand Prairie TX, we will be happy to assist you with the necessary documents. 

The procedure will soon be available to those with statutory insurance as a statutory health insurance benefit and is already completely free of charge as part of clinical studies. Without exception, every treatment is scientifically monitored to ensure the highest level of safety and quality. 

What side effects can occur during treatment?

Almost all of our patients tolerate TMS without any adverse effects. There is no need to fear any long-term side effects. It is therefore a low-risk, safe and yet effective method of treating depression. We will inform you in detail about possible side effects during a personal preliminary consultation or during the initial examination in our clinic.