TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive breakthrough treatment for depression when other methods like medication and therapy fail. At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in Aurora and Chicago, Illinois, Lawrence Abah, PMHNP-BC, Pauline Bao Ling Soh, PA, and the team use modern behavioral treatments to help their patients achieve mental wellness. The team provides TMS for hard-to-treat depression and other mental health conditions. To learn more about TMS and how it can help you, call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy or schedule a consultation online today.

What is TMS? 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity. It’s FDA-approved to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Depression is a common mental health condition that develops from an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). This imbalance decreases activity in the areas of the brain that control mood. 

TMS stimulates the nerve cells in the area of the brain associated with depression, restoring chemical balance and lifting mood. 

Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy is a modern psychiatry practice providing the most advanced therapies to improve your mental well-being, like TMS.

Am I a candidate for TMS?

The team at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy determines if you’re a candidate for TMS after a consultation. They may consider you a candidate if you have depression or OCD and when traditional medications and psychotherapies fail to relieve your symptoms. 

Typical candidates for TMS have tried three or more medications and didn’t find relief or had to switch medications because of side effects. TMS is a game-changing treatment for people with depression and OCD. 

TMS may also benefit other mental health conditions like:

• Anxious depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• smoking addiction

What happens during TMS?

The team customizes your TMS therapy plan to match your individual needs. Generally, the team recommends five sessions a week for four to six weeks. Each session takes about 30-40 minutes.

During TMS therapy, you relax in the treatment chair, and your provider positions the magnetic coil around your head, directing single pulses of magnetic energy to your scalp to find the right area and setting for your treatment.

Then, they start your treatment. You feel a tapping sensation and clicking sounds while undergoing TMS therapy.

What can I expect after TMS?

You can resume your normal activities following your TMS sessions. You may have a headache or discomfort around the area of your head where you have treatment.

Though results vary, you may notice improvements in your symptoms within a few weeks after starting TMS. You may then get additional benefits from psychiatric medication management and psychotherapy.

To learn more about TMS and how it can benefit your mental well-being, call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy or schedule an appointment online today.