Weighing Your Options
Deciding on a treatment for a mental disorder can be difficult. The nature of your illness or disorder may be hard to determine, or you might have limited resources, or you might have tried treatments that didn’t work, or made your problem worse. Many mental disorders manifest as a combination of symptoms.
TMS is emerging as a treatment option for depression and may have positive effects on other illnesses, including anxiety and PTSD, but there are still more studies to be done before TMS becomes mainstream. We want to outline some factors to help determine whether TMS might be an option for you.
When to Consider TMS
At present, TMS is FDA-approved as a treatment option for Major Depressive Disorder, specifically in cases where previous treatments, including medication, has not produced positive results that warrant continuation. Always consult with your doctor, as well as any specialist you are referred to, first when considering TMS.
Trans-cranial magnetic therapy is generally well-tolerated, and is not correlated with most possible side-effects of medications used to treat depressive disorders, like weight gain, feelings of dizziness or sleepiness, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Testimonials from Our Patients
Our TMS patients report various improvements such as greater mental clarity, less feelings of anxiety, and more moderation in fluctuations between depression and mania. See testimonials here: https://tmsforu.com/testimonials/
Some patients take more time to notice a difference than others, and specific effects vary with the individual. Some patients treated with TMS have stopped all medications, while some still take medication along with receiving trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. We support the treatment type, combination, and level that is best for each patient.
When Not to Try TMS
One of the first factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of trans-cranial magnetic therapy is the patient’s age. TMS is not approved for those 18 or younger.
Existing medical conditions must be scrutinized, such as any seizure disorders. While TMS is not considered risky and seizures are one of the rarest side effects, they must be mentioned for transparency. Scientific investigations on TMS are still proceeding, and we take every measure to ensure the safety of our patients.
TMS is not performed on patients that have any sort of metallic device implanted in or near the head, or any devices controlled by physical stimulus. These implants include ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators), orthopedic implants like metal pins, rods, or plates, and electric implants used to treat some types of chronic pain.
Am I Covered?
Depending on your insurance carrier and area of residence, TMS therapy may be covered by your insurance. Our staff can help you explore your coverage, and we encourage you to contact your insurance carrier for their policies on trans-cranial magnetic therapy.
