A treatment for military service members and dependents who have not found relief
for their depression and anxiety
Covered by
NO REFERRAL NEEDED UNLESS ACTIVE DUTY
TMS is an innovative, non-drug therapy that helps people who struggle with Major Depressive Disorder.
It helps activate the natural function of the brain’s neurotransmitters using a non-invasive magnetic field.
Hear our providers explain the benefits of TMS for treating depression and anxiety.
TMS uses a targeted pulsed magnetic field, similar to what is used in an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine. While the patient is awake and alert, NeuroStar TMS Therapy stimulates areas of the brain that are underactive in those who are depressed.
Precisely targeted to the prefrontal cortex, TMS makes long-term remission possible, without the side-effects of medication.
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The standard protocol consists of 36 treatments that last around 50 minutes each.
Learn more about Dr. Ann Wycoff, Ph.D. here.
We also offer another form of TMS, Thetaburst, which requires a 3-minute treatment.
TMS is a breakthrough in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder because it offers real potential for long-term remission of symptoms. With standard drug therapy, long-term remission becomes less likely with each prescription medication treatment attempt. As antidepressant medication increases, so can side effects and the potential for treatment failure.
Consider these questions and contact our office to discuss whether TMS Therapy is right for you:
TMS can be helpful in reducing anxiety where other treatments have failed. A brain without anxiety can regulate emotions, impulses, and behaviors by controlling the limbic system—the emotional center of the brain. If you suffer from an anxiety condition, like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the part of your brain called the amygdala is hyperactive. TMS treatment can reduce activity in the amygdala thus reducing your symptoms and allowing you to live more calmly.
Yes. Depression and anxiety frequently coexist. The typical TMS protocol delivers a magnetic pulse to the prefrontal cortex on the top left side of the head. However, for patients who experience severe anxiety in addition to depression, we may treat the top right side of the head in addition to the left side treatment.
TMS is a breakthrough in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder because it offers real potential for long-term remission of symptoms. With standard drug therapy, long-term remission becomes less likely with each prescription medication treatment attempt. As antidepressant medication increases, so can side effects and the potential for treatment failure.
I spent 22 years living with depression and now I have full range of emotions that I’ve never experienced before, and a new outlook on life. Before beginning treatment, I was non-functioning and almost completely non-verbal. My sleep schedule was non-existent, my energy levels were very low, and I had to pause my schooling because I was unable to even talk to people.
By week two of treatment, not only was I sleeping better and waking up refreshed, but those around me noticed a significant change. I began talking so much I joked that my therapist would have to teach me to be quiet. This treatment has changed my life for the better. I would highly recommend TMS to anyone suffering from severe depression.
Mary J.
I noticed immediately an improvement and so did the people around me. That heavy weight of depression was lifted and I felt good. I’m happier than I’ve been in years. The medicines weren’t working so I got proactive and tried this. I’m so patient with my husband now. I don’t have that anger anymore. I laugh every day many times and that’s really new. I’ve never been to a place with so much empathy and compassion. I felt I could let down and show it all. The staff here is deeply invested in their patients. What I experience now is positivity. I guess that’s the right word. My husband is so happy with the results. I didn’t smile for so long. I don’t have the moodiness. There are so many depressed people in the world that this will help. If anyone wants to email me or talk with me I’d be happy to talk with them.
Megan A.
TMS is FDA approved for the treatment of depression and has been proven to be safe in clinical trials. There are over twelve years of solid, high quality, and peer reviewed research supporting TMS.
No. TMS treatment is noninvasive and the patient is not sedated nor specially medicated for the treatment. After treatment the patient can drive and continue their normal routine.
Anyone who is currently depressed may be a candidate for TMS. TMS is especially beneficial for those who have not adequately benefited from antidepressant medications, or who cannot tolerate the side effects of these medications. There are other conditions for which TMS can help. Contact us to see if TMS is right for you.
A small number of patients may experience a mild, dull headache either during or right after treatment. The only other “side effect” that we have seen in our experience in administering TMS to over 400 patients. About 50% of patients will experience an “emotional dip” at some time during their treatment, usually around the third week and consists of a temporary return to the level of depression they felt when they first started treatment. The “dip” usually lasts for 2-5 days, but is a sign that the treatment is working. Patients may schedule check-ins with Dr. Wycoff as often as desired. Although the “dip” is unpleasant it can be an indicator of a significantly positive result by the end of treatment.
No substantive changes to a regular medication routine should be made while undergoing TMS. After the patient has completed TMS they can discuss with their provider whether it is appropriate to gradually discontinue medication. Patients should never stop their medication without the supervision of a medical provider.
Results have persisted for at least one year for most subjects followed by researchers. Many patients report results lasting several years.
Younger patients tend to get an effect earlier and gradually gains momentum, and older patients may not feel an effect until the 4th week. We will often ask insurance to give a patient more treatments if a solid effect results later in the treatment course. Our goal is to pay close attention to each patient’s individual experience and adjust treatment when needed to get each patient the very best result possible.
Contact our office to arrange a courtesy consultation with Dr. Wycoff and determine if TMS is right for you.
Scholarly Article: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Treatment Resistant Depression: Retrospective Data Analysis from Clinical Practice.
Scholarly Article: Has repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment for depression improved? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the recent vs. the earlier rTMS studies.
Scholarly Article: Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major
Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial.
Scholarly Article: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and young adults: a pilot study.
Scholarly Article: Clinical Significance of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the Treatment of Pharmacoresistant Depression: Synthesis of Recent Data.
Scholarly Article: Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of major depression.
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If you are an existing patient to our practice, call our office at 619-295-8005 for fastest assistance.
Contact us today to arrange a complementary TMS consultation.
