More than 57 million American adults suffer from mental health conditions, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Most of these individuals respond well to traditional treatments, like prescription medication, counseling, and healthy lifestyle changes. But for others, lasting relief is difficult to achieve.
Thankfully, new procedures are helping bridge the treatment gap. Case in point: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. This noninvasive procedure uses a magnetic coil to influence your brain’s electrical activity
At Labyrinth Psychiatry Group in Cranford, New Jersey, psychiatrists Salvatore Savatta, MD, Karen Omilian, DO, Orrin Marin, MD, and our team of licensed nurses and counselors can evaluate you to see if you’re a candidate for TMS therapy.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an outpatient procedure that uses magnetic pulses to activate specific areas of your brain. More specifically, it stimulates nerve cells in the parts of your brain responsible for mood control and depression. This relieves symptoms like anxiety and obsessive thoughts, improving your quality of life.
Researchers are still trying to understand why TMS is so effective. But it’s believed that stimulating these areas changes thought patterns and how your brain works. Ultimately, this results in a more positive mood and fewer depressive symptoms.
Our Labyrinth Psychiatry Group team uses TMS therapy to treat various mental health conditions, including:
Sometimes, our team prescribes TMS to patients trying to quit smoking. Magnetic stimulation can reduce tobacco cravings, making it easier to stop smoking once and for all.
Before recommending TMS therapy, your provider completes a physical exam with blood work and a comprehensive mental health evaluation.
Tell your provider if you’re pregnant, have a history of seizures, or take any medication. Also, tell us if you have any metal or implanted medical devices. Since TMS uses a powerful magnetic field, our team needs to be aware.
If your provider determines you’re a candidate for treatment, we schedule your first treatment session.
TMS therapy is an outpatient treatment that takes about 20 minutes on average. The procedure doesn’t use anesthesia, but we recommend someone drive you home after your first visit.
When you arrive for your appointment, your provider takes you to a treatment room, sits you in a comfortable reclining chair, and gives you a pair of earplugs. Then, an electromagnetic coil is placed above your head and pointed at a specific part of your brain.
Once the coil is in position, your provider turns the TMS machine on. The machine emits a series of electromagnetic pulses that penetrate your scalp and activate the nerve cells in your brain.
During TMS therapy, it’s normal to feel a rapid tapping sensation on the top of your head. You might also feel some minor scalp discomfort. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. However, tell your provider if treatment is painful. We can adjust the settings as needed to ensure your comfort.
TMS therapy takes 3-20 minutes on average. The time you sit underneath the magnetic coil depends on several factors, including the mental health condition treated and the severity of your symptoms.
Each TMS session is relatively quick, but you must undergo multiple sessions to experience positive results. Our Labyrinth Psychiatry Group team typically recommends a series of at least 30 sessions spaced over 6 weeks.
Our team monitors your symptoms after each treatment and adjusts your care plan as needed. Some people experience significant relief after the first few TMS sessions; for others, it takes longer. Be patient, attend each of your appointments, and follow your provider’s instructions.
If you’re interested in trying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, contact our team at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group today. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone.
