If you are considering treatment options for depression, you may be wondering, “Can TMS therapy be combined with other treatments?” The short answer is yes—NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy can work alongside other support options so your care remains coordinated and personalized.
Let us explain how NeuroStar TMS works, what the research shows, and how we can combine NeuroStar TMS with other supportive treatments into a stepwise plan that respects your goals and your schedule.
How Combination Planning Works
Our team at Desert View Counseling starts by reviewing your current treatments, past medication trials, and therapy history. We then plan how to integrate NeuroStar TMS therapy, including how your progress will be measured and when to reassess. As NeuroStar TMS uses focused magnetic pulses on your scalp and does not introduce a systemic drug, it can be coordinated with other treatment approaches while we monitor symptom change using validated scales.
How Does TMS Therapy Work With Medication?
Many people begin TMS treatment while continuing to take antidepressants. Our goal is to treat the mood circuits in your brain using NeuroStar TMS therapy, while your prescriber monitors any side effects from your medication and decides whether to maintain, adjust, or simplify your dosage over time.
Large real-world data shows that 83 percent of patients experienced improvement with NeuroStar TMS (Sackeim HA et al., 2020). J Affective Disorders, 277(12):65-74). Results usually start appearing after four to six weeks of treatment, and benefits can last up to 12 months with proper follow-up (Dunner DL et al., 2014). J Clin Psychiatry, 75(12):1394-1401).
Pairing TMS With Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can complement neurostimulation by helping you practice and embed new skills while TMS activates your brain circuits. Many patients continue cognitive or skills-based therapy during a NeuroStar TMS treatment series to reinforce healthier thought patterns and routines. We share week-by-week symptom scores with you, so you and your therapist can focus your counseling sessions on the areas where you want the most support.
Daily Habits, Sleep, and Routine
Simple routines can aid your brain plasticity and further improve your results from NeuroStar TMS therapy. Consistent sleep, regular movement, and structured daily plans can make it easier for you to notice the small gains that accumulate during TMS treatment. We discuss practical adjustments you can make to support your progress, such as coordinating your NeuroStar TMS sessions with work or school commitments, so your plan is achievable and measurable.
Measuring Progress With Combination Therapy
Throughout your NeuroStar TMS therapy program, we track changes in your symptoms using validated mood scales and patient-reported measures. As you near the end of your TMS program, we review your outcomes with you and coordinate with your therapist or prescriber as needed. If you notice your symptoms starting to return in the future, we can discuss retreatment with NeuroStar TMS based on your prior response and preferences.
Contact Us To Discuss Incorporating NeuroStar TMS Into a Combined Treatment Plan
So, can TMS therapy be combined with other treatments? If you are still wondering how TMS might fit into your current care plan, contact our team at Desert View Counseling to learn how NeuroStar TMS therapy could be integrated alongside the treatments you are already receiving. We can help coordinate an approach that builds on the steps you have taken so far and supports your overall treatment goals.
