Understanding the TMS Procedure
As you consider the treatment options for your major depressive disorder (MDD) or anxious depression, it helps to understand how each option works so you can make the best treatment choice for your needs. Understanding the TMS procedure is integral to its success—understanding the process will help you learn what to expect from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, which enables you to set realistic expectations for the treatment program. This will allow you to plan for your treatment sessions, as well as help you understand how the treatment may affect you and when you may start noticing benefits.
Understanding NeuroStar TMS therapy also gives you control over your treatment. Knowing the procedure, the length of treatment, and even the science behind TMS therapy can guide you to a treatment plan that works best for you and your needs. If you experience treatment-resistant depression—a form of MDD that does not respond to traditional psychiatric medications—you may find NeuroStar TMS can help you treat your symptoms.
How TMS Works
To illustrate how NeuroStar TMS therapy works, we can compare it to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). NeuroStar TMS uses technology that is similar to that used in MRIs, but it is different in certain ways. While both use magnetics, TMS therapy uses focused magnetic pulses to target specific regions of your brain, whereas MRIs use magnets to form images of your brain.
When you suffer from anxious depression or MDD, you experience a slowing or limiting of activity in some regions of your brain—often in those areas that control or manage your emotional response. NeuroStar TMS therapy uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the neural networks in these targeted regions. This helps increase the electrical activity and encourages neural connections in these areas, which in turn helps you regulate your mood in meaningful ways.
What To Expect During Treatment
Your NeuroStar TMS therapy will take place over the course of seven weeks. You will have daily appointments, with the actual treatment often lasting between three and 20 minutes. Each individual responds differently, so our skilled team of mental health professionals will explain the NeuroStar TMS process and work with you to determine the best treatment duration for you.
Your first treatment session will include the calibration of the NeuroStar TMS machine to your needs. Our team will position the machine around your head to best target the appropriate regions of your brain, and we will adjust the intensity of the magnet until it is tailored precisely for your treatment. You will be provided with ear protection for your comfort, as the NeuroStar TMS machine creates a tapping sound. Many people experience a tapping sensation on their scalp, as well as some minor discomfort or headache pain. These feelings are often well-tolerated, and you become familiar with the feeling over the treatment program.
During your daily appointments for NeuroStar TMS therapy, you will enter the treatment room, take your seat in a comfortable chair, and don your ear protection. Once you are comfortable, our mental health staff will position the TMS device as calibrated during your first session, and you will remain seated for the duration of the treatment. As soon as the treatment is finished, you will be free to return to your daily schedule.
Results With TMS Therapy
A key question people ask when exploring the NeuroStar TMS treatment approach is: “When will I start feeling the benefit?” Many patients following a full NeuroStar TMS therapy program begin to see improvements after four to six weeks, and the beneficial results of NeuroStar TMS therapy can last up to a year. If you notice your symptoms beginning to return, you may need another seven-week treatment regimen.
Contact Us To Learn More About the TMS Procedure
Our skilled team at Desert View Counseling is here for you if you need help understanding the TMS procedure and how NeuroStar TMS can benefit you. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your treatment, as we want you to be a full participant in your mental health journey. Reach out and schedule your consultation today.
