What TMS actually entails is a 20-40 minute procedure that administers electromagnetic pulses to the front of the head, where the prefrontal cortex of the brain is located. Treatment is conducted daily over the course of 6 weeks and occurs in-office while the patient is awake. Only a mildly uncomfortable tapping sensation is reported by some. And you do not need to suffer through upwards of ten ineffective medications; if remission of symptoms is not achieved after two antidepressants, TMS may be an option to consider. What’s more, TMS can be a great complement to behavioral activation therapy, as it has been shown to enhance behavioral treatments for depression.
TMS has also been approved to treat a number of disorders including OCD and PTSD, and research is ongoing to uncover how this novel therapy may help others suffering from treatment-resistant psychological disorders. While this therapy is still new, its non-invasive nature and lack of long-term side effects make it a safe treatment option for persistent psychological disorders.