Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a ground-breaking type of therapy that uses effective, safe and non-invasive neuro stimulation for depression. And you might be wondering how exactly it works if it is right for you.
So today, let’s cover both those questions.
What is it and how does it work?
TMS can sound a little intimidating at first, but as a safe and non-invasive procedure, it has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) since 2007 and is very effective in patients that have had trouble treating their depression.
Fundamentally, TMS uses magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and target parts of the brain where decreased activity causes depression. Importantly, you are not at a risk of memory loss or sleep disruption with this type of treatment.
A session lasts less than 30minutes and as it is non-invasive, you’re able to return to your normal, daily activities right away.
The advantages of TMS:
- Effective: The majority of patients experience relief within several weeks.
- Non-invasive: As a quick outpatient procedure with no serious side effects, you’ll be able to return to daily activities immediately post-treatment.
- Lasting: Results show that patients continue to improve during treatment and after completion.
- Low side effects: The most common side effect experienced by some patients is a brief headache.
Who is this right for?
Treatment is usually recommended for sufferers with treatment-resistant depression. If you have not found relief from other treatments, such as antidepressants and talking therapy, then TMS could be right for you.
TMS is an evidence-based, effective treatment with impressive results of two-thirds of patients experiencing either full remission of depression symptoms or noticeable improvements.1
TMS treatments can now be utilised under your Medicare rebate.
Want to know more?
Still not sure if TMS is the right treatment for you or your loved one? Then call Queensland TMS on +61 7 4050 7090, or email us at admin@qldtms.com, or visit our website at www.qldtms.com for more information.
Notes & References:
1 https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/examining-the-benefits-of-tms