What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

The Sagent Behavioral Health provider consulted for this article on TMS is Dr. Suzanne Jasberg, MD, Assistant Medical Director and Program Director of Interventional Psychiatry. 

Living with depression can be exhausting, especially when you've tried multiple treatments and still aren't experiencing the relief you deserve. If you've been diagnosed with depression and have tried various antidepressants without meaningful improvement, it can feel like you've run out of options.

Thankfully, Sagent Behavioral Health offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to individuals struggling to find relief from their depression. But what is transcranial magnetic stimulation, and how can it help with treatment-resistant depression?  

This guide breaks down what TMS is, who is eligible, and how it can offer lasting relief, so you can be informed regarding all of your treatment options. 

What is TMS?  

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-drug, non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-regulating areas of the brain. Instead of using medication, TMS works with the brain's own circuitry to support recovery. 

The treatment, using BrainsWay and NeuroStar devices, utilizes a mild magnetic field, similar in some ways to the technology used in an MRI. This magnetic pulse stimulates areas of the brain that may be underactive in people with treatment-resistant depression. 

With repeated sessions, these areas of the brain become more responsive and can experience improved neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to send and receive signals between neurons. 

With improved neuroplasticity, new neural pathways can form so that the brain can communicate more effectively. Over 83% of patients who utilize TMS report long-lasting symptom relief after completing treatment.  

Who is Eligible for TMS? 

TMS is not a first line of defense for treating depression, and individuals have to meet certain clinical criteria before being eligible.  

To be eligible for TMS, patients generally:  

• Are age 15 or older (additional approvals needed if under 18)  

• Have a diagnosis of recurrent Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic features 

• Have tried at least two antidepressants from different medication classes without sufficient relief 

• Have completed or participated in psychotherapy  

• Can reliably attend frequent treatment appointments  

TMS is not right for everyone. You may not be eligible for TMS treatment if you have:  

• Non-removable metal in your head or neck 

• A history of seizures or a seizure disorder 

• Active bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia disorder 

You are also not eligible if you are pregnant or have another medical consideration that is identified by your provider during your initial consultation.  

Related Reading: 3 Surprising Signs You May Be Experiencing Depression  | Sagent Behavioral Health 

What Can You Expect During Treatment? 

At Sagent, a full course of TMS consists of 36 treatments over 7-8 weeks. Sessions are scheduled Monday-Friday and last about 20 minutes each. TMS treatments don’t require anesthesia or sedation, and they don't produce memory loss. Because of that, you can drive yourself to and from each appointment. 
 
If you've never seen TMS before, you might be wondering what it actually looks like. During a TMS session, you sit in a comfortable chair, and the device is positioned to stimulate your brain during the treatment. You are awake and alert throughout each session, and you have the ability to read, relax, or watch TV during each treatment.

Worried about how it will feel? Most patients describe the sensation of the magnetic pulses as a light tapping on the scalp. A less common but possible side effect following treatment sessions is a mild, temporary headache as the body adjusts.  

When you are done with each session, you are free to go back to work, school, or go home! However, one of the considerations of TMS treatment is that it requires frequent and consistent appointments, so you must commit to the entire course of treatment to see the best results. 

Is TMS Right for You? 

TMS might be right for you if you have met the above criteria and if you've tried multiple antidepressants and still feel like you aren't finding any relief from your symptoms. 

At Sagent, the process begins with a personalized consultation to determine if you are eligible for TMS. Our interventional psychiatry locations in Eden Prairie and Maple Grove specialize in advanced treatment options for people with treatment-resistant depression. 

Sagent Behavioral Health offers lasting relief from treatment-resistant depression. Contact our team today to learn more about TMS and if it's right for you.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is TMS painful? 

Most patients describe the feeling of the TMS procedure as a light tapping sensation around the scalp. Some people may experience temporary scalp discomfort or a mild headache, particularly during the first few treatments.  

Is TMS the same as ECT or “shock therapy”? 

No, TMS and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are different treatments. TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate a targeted area of the brain and does not require anesthesia or sedation. Patients remain awake and alert during TMS treatment. ECT carries the risk of anesthesia and can produce memory loss. With TMS, there is no seizure, no anesthesia and no memory loss. 

Where is TMS offered? 

Sagent offers TMS at our Eden Prairie and Maple Grove, Minnesota, locations.