NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
(855) 940-4867
Is TMS Right For Me? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
Theodora Blanchfield
Depression can be challenging to treat. Many people eventually find relief, but it can take trying talk therapy, medications, and more to get there. If you've already tried therapy and antidepressants without finding relief, you may have talked to your provider about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Since TMS is a treatment some providers are still gaining familiarity with, even after discussing it, you may be left wondering if TMS is right for you.
What Is TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy is an FDA-cleared method for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and other conditions. It works by using a non-invasive handheld device to deliver soft magnetic pulses that stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation.
TMS treatment typically takes place five days a week over the course of six to nine weeks, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Side effects are minimal and typically subside quickly. Some mild reactions include headache, scalp discomfort, and slight tingling in facial muscles.
Is TMS Therapy Right for Me? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
To help you determine whether TMS therapy is right for you, consider the following four questions.
1. Have You Been Diagnosed with Depression?
To receive TMS therapy for depression and have it covered by your insurance, you will need a diagnosis of MDD, also known as clinical depression. A therapist or psychiatrist can evaluate you by asking you a series of questions, including how long you have been feeling depressed, how your appetite and sleep are, if you are experiencing fatigue or a lack of focus, and how these symptoms are affecting your life.
While TMS is also FDA-cleared for other conditions also, it has been used mostly in
patients with major depressive disorder, with
more than 50 percent of individuals studied responding that their symptoms were reduced in intensity by half. Nearly 40 percent enjoyed remission or a complete absence of symptoms.
2. Have You Tried Other, First-Line Treatments?
TMS is not considered a first-line treatment, so your insurer will typically want to see at least two ineffective medication attempts before it will pay for your TMS treatment. Your insurer may also want to see that you have tried evidence-based psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, given that one-third of people continue experiencing depression symptoms even after trying two medications, you may be among those who qualify for TMS and have their treatment covered by insurance.
3. Do You Have Any Other Conditions?
While TMS is generally associated with a low side effect profile, there are conditions that can make TMS treatment impossible. For example, if you have non-removable metal in your head, you are not a candidate for TMS. This includes aneurysm clips or coils, stents in the neck or brain, and deep brain stimulators. However, cavity fillings and braces are no problem. You will also want to inform your provider if you have epilepsy, bipolar disorder, or a substance use disorder. Also, your doctor might ask you about your alcohol use. These are not necessarily impediments to treatment, but letting your doctor know that you have one of these conditions can help them identify slightly different side effects. Since mild headaches are one of the few side effects of TMS, be sure to let your technician know if you experience frequent headaches so they can adjust your treatment accordingly.
4. Are You Ready To Make Time for Self-Care?
While individual sessions are brief and allow you to continue with your day afterward, the total time for a TMS course of treatment is not insignificant. But as time for self-care, it is time well spent. In fact, many patients say that stepping outside their normal routine to take this time for themselves was an unexpectedly rewarding part of their TMS treatment. At the same time, no treatment works in isolation, so you should also aim to maintain other self-care habits, such as exercise, meditation, and journaling.
Is TMS Therapy Right for Me? Learn More
If you've tried several treatment strategies and are still experiencing depression, know that you are not alone and that there is hope for relief. Taking time to consider the questions posed above will help you feel more confident about your path forward, but don't hesitate to schedule a no-cost consultation to have more of your questions answered.
Is TMS Therapy Right for Me? Learn More
If you've tried several treatment strategies and are still experiencing depression, know that you are not alone and that there is hope for relief. Taking time to consider the questions posed above will help you feel more confident about your path forward, but don't hesitate to schedule a no-cost consultation to have more of your questions answered.
Let's see if we might be a good fit
Take our short quiz to see if TMS therapy or nasal esketamine could be right for you
Share this post
We're Better Together
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy and nasal esketamine updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Contact Us
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
You might also like
A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
Greenbrook supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
(855) 940-4867 or info@greenbrooktms.com.
