Anyone who is suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder may benefit from TMS therapy. Of course, as a relatively recent treatment modality, certain conditions are better researched than others when it comes to TMS. Depression, for instance, is the most well-studied condition – and there is a large body of research supporting TMS’ efficacy in depression treatment. The list of conditions TMS treats is ever-growing, though. It is important to recognize, too, that TMS has performance benefits even for people who are mentally healthy.

TMS is most frequently recommended to individuals who have tried to treat their condition with conventional methods and had little success. Medications and talk therapy do not always reduce the symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions. TMS therapy is extremely effective at mitigating the impact of treatment-resistant depression. Ultimately, however, the best way to determine if you are a good candidate for TMS is to talk to a mental health clinician. At Lucid, our clinicians, psychiatrists, and staff members can evaluate you to assess your needs and develop an appropriate and effective treatment plan.

TMS is a non-invasive, painless, and very safe procedure. Nonetheless, there are a few groups of people who should not engage in this type of treatment. Because TMS involves magnetic pulses, individuals who have implanted medical devices or metals inside of their bodies should not do TMS. Furthermore, people who have significant brain damage or a history of seizures are somewhat more likely to experience side effects during TMS treatment, making them less than ideal candidates.

Yes! Depression is generally best treated using a combination of different methods. While TMS may have many advantages over prescription drugs and talk therapy, that doesn’t mean those methods should be abandoned. Depending on your individual case history and needs, your psychiatrist may recommend taking depression medication while undergoing TMS therapy. Many patients discover that TMS therapy is so effective that they no longer need to be on antidepressants, while others are delighted to learn that TMS actually made their medications more effective. The best way to answer this question is to talk to a psychiatrist at Progeny TMS.

Since TMS is neither a medication nor a surgery, the procedure has very limited side effects, and in many cases it has none at all. The few occasional side effects that clients experience are scalp discomfort, mild headaches, and minor discomfort in the face and jaw. For most people, these side effects are so mild as to be hardly noticeable. They tend to disappear after a few days or weeks. Even clients who do notice these symptoms rarely find them bothersome enough to discontinue treatment.

TMS is a painless procedure. The sensation that clients experience while undergoing a TMS session is generally described as a light and gentle tapping on the scalp. This tapping sensation is caused by the magnetic pulses, not by any actual physical touching of the scalp. Some people also experience some facial or eye twitching during treatment, but this symptom immediately ends when the treatment session does. TMS does not cause pain, but even people who consider the sensations uncomfortable or strange are rarely really bothered, since the nature of this discomfort is very mild.

TMS is generally faster acting than prescription antidepressants or talk therapy. However, the length of time it takes for TMS to help with depression depends on the individual client and their specific case of depression. Most people experience some degree of improvement after a mere two weeks. With continued TMS treatment, these improvements become more and more impactful.

TMS treatment generally only lasts for a few weeks. During this time, however, clients do need to set aside time for regular TMS sessions. Treatment plans vary from person to person, but the vast majority involve going in for TMS sessions approximately 5 days a week. In most cases, this lasts for 6-8 weeks. During this time, however, it is easy for clients to continue with their everyday lives. TMS sessions are extremely short, generally lasting 20 minutes. Clients are not sedated or debilitated by the procedure. Most people read or listen to music during their TMS sessions and then go on with their day.

As an FDA-cleared treatment method, transcranial magnetic stimulation is widely covered by most health insurance companies. Major insurance plans that cover TMS therapy in Los Angeles include Blue Shield, Optum, Tricare, Cigna, MHN/Healthnet, Beacon, and Magellan. TMS is also covered by a wide range of smaller healthcare plans as well. Fortunately, all you need to do to determine your coverage is reach out to us at Progeny TMS. Our team will reach out on your behalf to your healthcare company to get you the best possible coverage for the treatment you need. There’s no need for you to do any paperwork or make any calls.

TMS therapy is a simple and painless outpatient procedure. Clients can relax and do other activities while their brains are gently stimulated by magnetic pulses. Treatment sessions generally last no longer than 20 minutes, after which clients get on with their days. TMS is sometimes confused with ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, but it is far less invasive. It does not involve planting electrodes on the head or the use of sedating anesthesia. TMS is a painless, non-invasive, and even relaxing procedure that clients can get while on their lunch break. Above all, however, TMS treatment at Progeny TMS is effective.

If your question regarding how TMS treatment can improve your life is not listed here, don't hesitate to contact Progeny TMS today. Our staff members can answer any questions or concerns you have and discuss your needs.