If you’ve been exploring new ways to treat your depression or other mental health conditions, you might be wondering if NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is right for you. TMS therapy can be an effective standalone treatment for depression, or it can be used in combination with medications to enhance treatment outcomes. Read on to find out if you could be a good candidate for NeuroStar TMS Therapy at Collaborative Solutions in Psychiatry (CSIP) in Madison.
Who Is a Candidate for NeuroStar TMS Therapy?
NeuroStar TMS therapy is FDA-cleared for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The best candidates for NeuroStar TMS therapy are typically individuals who have tried multiple prescription medications (usually four or more) without significant relief or who have experienced severe side effects from medications. If you have not responded well to traditional treatments or have struggled with medication side effects, TMS may be the non-drug-based therapy that could offer you relief without the complications of pharmaceutical treatments.
Who Cannot Receive NeuroStar TMS Treatment?
Before we discuss who can benefit from TMS therapy, it’s important to know if you have any conditions or factors that might make you ineligible for this treatment. NeuroStar TMS Therapy works by placing a magnetic coil on your scalp to create a targeted magnetic field. While this is generally safe, there are certain situations where TMS is not advised due to the following situations:
- Neurological Conditions: Individuals with brain disorders such as Seizure disorders (epilepsy), severe dementia, cerebrovascular disease, or a history of severe or repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI) will need to be evaluated carefully by one of our providers to determine whether TMS is a safe option.
- Metal Implants in or Near the Head: If you have metal plates, clips, or stents in your skull or neck, particularly from previous brain surgeries, the magnetic waves used in TMS can cause these metal objects to shift, posing a serious risk. Individuals with metal implants, such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, or vagus nerve stimulators, are not suitable candidates for TMS because the magnetic field could cause these devices to malfunction.
- Manic or Psychotic Symptoms: TMS primarily targets areas of the brain linked to depression, and in individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis, stimulating these areas might induce or exacerbate symptoms rather than alleviating them. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider to assess whether TMS is appropriate in these complex cases.
References
- O’Reardon JP, et al. A randomized trial of TMS therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(3):432-441.
- Carmi L, et al. TMS for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review. Brain Stimulation. 2019;12(6):1335-1346.
- George MS, et al. Advances in TMS protocols for accelerated treatment outcomes. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9(1):20-32.
- Carpenter LL, et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for anxiety and comorbid depression. J Clin Psychiatry. 2019;80(4):19m12794.
- Blumberger DM, et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice: Treatment outcomes in MDD. Psychiatry Res. 2021;299:113860.
