TMS 101: A Proven Solution for Depression & Anxiety
What is TMS?
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy and is a non-pharmaceutical treatment that uses highly focused magnetic pulses. TMS is an exciting alternative treatment to help with mental health and healing.
How does TMS work?
A seasoned and certified psychiatrist does an evaluation and prescribes a custom script to precisely target and stimulate key areas of the brain that control mood, pain, and cravings.
With Depression, the doctor will focus on the left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) region of the brain. This depolarizes the neurons in that lobe, stimulating monoamine neurotransmitters and increased function of the electrical circuits that drive brain activity. An increase in brain activity increases blood flow, oxygen levels and sugar metabolism; the result is improved activity of the 'feel good' neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine) which drastically alleviates the symptoms of depression and which provides an opportunity to achieve full remission for nearly half and a positive response for 78% of the people that complete this protocol.
For Anxiety, TMS is considered an 'off-label' protocol, but has been used widely to help people with anxieties and traumas (depression is the only FDA-approved protocol currently). The focus of this treatment is on the right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) region of the brain so that the neurons are polarized and that brain activity is better regulated.
Facts about Mental Health:
According to the National Institute of Mental Health:
► 40+ million Americans (nearly 1 in 5 adults) deal with an Anxiety Disorder
► 16+ million Americans (nearly 1 in 12 adults) deal with Major Depressive Disorder
(Stats for adults between the ages of 18 to 54)
According to MIT's Medical Journal, those who take antidepressant medications report:
► 18% increase in suicidal thoughts and restlessness
► 56% chance of a decreased libido and sex drive
► 50% chance of drowsiness and weight gain
► 20% chance of consistent insomnia, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and/or tremors
Facts about TMS:
In the United States, the FDA approved clinical trials showed:
► 68% of patients experience a significant response (>50%) from TMS Therapy
**patients on antidepressant medication only have a 40% chance of symptom relief from depression**
► 45% of TMS Therapy patients achieve remission (symptom-free)
Patients who choose TMS therapy are twice as likely to achieve remission than those who choose antidepressant medication & traditional therapy only. And while there is no such thing as guaranteed response from any treatment option, it is easy to feel confident about what to expect from this proven alternative therapy.
Is TMS right for me?
Questions to ask yourself:
Do the symptoms of depression or anxiety interfere with with my daily life?
Have the pharmaceuticals I have tried lacked results?
Have I experienced negative side effects from depression medications?
Do I believe healing is possible with a holistic, non-drug therapy alternative?
Have I been diagnosed with one or more of these:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Addiction (pain medications, alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, marijuana, and cocaine, methamphetamines, and behavioral addictions)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Chronic Pain (or Fatigue)
Lyme Disease (MSIDS) or Chronic Illness
Cognitive Impairment (Autism, Memory Loss, Brain Inflammation, Tinnitus, Migraines)
Other Anxiety Disorders (Obsessive Thoughts)
Cognitive Enhancement (Energy, Performance)
Do I know someone who has had amazing results with TMS?
Am I committed and available for healing for 37min each day, 5 days a week, for 4-6 weeks?
How can I afford to pay for treatment?
Insurance: Most major carriers cover TMS therapy. At The Healing House they can assess if you are eligible for coverage based on your insurance policy.
Self-Pay: Pay in installments, with no interest through in-house financing, at The Healing House.
Family Support: Do you have family members who are invested in your health? Max E. Guttman, LCSW said it best in a blog post for Nami: "For my parents, working to support my mental health treatment wasn't a question—it was a priority.”.
Fundraise: Crowdfunding can be started by you or a dear friend or family member who feels comfortable asking in your honor. Under these conditions one of the hardest obstacles is just asking for help and letting other people know you need it. There are so many resources and ideas out there like this how to video Raise funds for medical bills. Here is a short list of two crowdfunding sites to consider using:
What are the side effects of TMS?
Some patients may experience temporary scalp discomfort, headache and/or sensitivity to light.
“The treatment is nothing to be afraid of. It doesn't hurt. You sit in this wonderful spa type chair and relax… I got used to it right away and actually started to look forward to it.” - Kristi L
©NeuroStar
LET US HELP YOU!
If you are in need of treatment, please reach out to us and let’s see if TMS and The Healing House are a right fit for you. Click here to get connected.
Want to learn more about TMS? We recommend watching this video: Introduction to NeuroStar TMS Therapy®.