What should I expect during TMS therapy?
In your first session, our team performs initial measurements to find the exact location of the DLPFC in your brain (every brain is different). Once we’ve located it, we’ll find the natural level that your neurons release neurotransmitters to customize the TMS settings. Then, you’re all set for your first treatment.
During TMS therapy, you sit in a comfortable chair with the TMS equipment positioned at a specific point on your head where the DLPFC is located. Most patients report a light tapping sensation on their forehead. Express TMS isn’t painful and is completed in just 3 minutes and 9 seconds. We are with you during every single treatment session and are always available should you have any questions or concerns.
To make sure TMS therapy is right for you, you can either have an initial consultation with a member of our medical team, or you can be referred by your own psychiatrist. We will create a treatment plan based on your specific needs, which may change on a weekly basis as symptoms improve. Most people come in 5 days per week for 4 to 6 weeks, followed by an optional 6-session taper.
TMS doesn’t cause any disruptive side effects. Some patients report temporary, mild headaches after their sessions. However, you can drive yourself to and from your appointments and won’t need to take any time off from school or work. Other patients may experience mild facial movement during the stimulation, which ceases immediately once the treatment is over. The risk of seizure is less than 0.1%—less than traditional antidepressant medication.
TMS and Express TMS are both extremely effective treatments for depression. Some people notice significant improvements in mood within the first week. Others tend to notice that their symptoms slowly lessen as they continue with the TMS course.