Living with depression is hard, but can be especially difficult when one treatment after another doesn’t help. You lose hope. Will you ever feel better?
Finding the right treatment can take time but TMS may be the treatment that will make you feel like you again.
Northwest Arkansas Psychiatry, a MANA Clinic, is proud to be Northwest Arkansas’ only provider of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. This advanced therapy is non-invasive and a non-medication treatment. It is FDA-approved and covered by most insurance plans for depression. If you or a loved one suffers from depression and haven’t responded well to treatment, our team can help you decide if TMS therapy is right for you.
What is TMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, non-drug therapy that can help people who experience depression. It’s an alternative to medication for people who have found antidepressants unsuccessful. TMS is approved by the FDA specifically for people who don’t respond to antidepressant medication.
Did you know? According to a 2012 study, approximately 58% of patients with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) responded positively to TMS therapy.
This therapy is also being studied for a number of other mental health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even autism.
“With TMS, we are changing how the brain circuits are arranged and how they communicate with each other,” says Dr. Foster. “We know that the brain is a changeable organ,” he continues. “Every time people learn something new, there are physical changes in the brain structure. TMS allows us to make positive changes more quickly.”
How does it work?
During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a brief magnetic pulse that stimulates brain cells. The pulse activates nerve cells in the limbic system, a region of the brain involved in mood control that often has decreased activity in people with depression. TMS lets the brain practice actions that are much like having positive thoughts.
TMS is non-invasive and involves no drugs. This means that side effects are very minimal, usually no more than a temporary headache, and often are completely absent.
TMS Therapy in Northwest Arkansas
TMS involves a series of treatment sessions to be effective. It takes place in the office and patients can drive home afterward – or back to work or school. The first session will last about 60 minutes, and follow-up sessions are usually shorter. You’ll be awake and alert during the treatment, sitting in a comfortable chair. Earplugs are provided for patients who don’t care for the noise, but patients can chat or listen to music instead.
- Safe and effective
- Non-invasive
- Minimal side effects
- No Anesthesia
- Outpatient treatment
- Covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare.
Patients with metal near their heads that cannot be removed — pacemakers, metallic implants in ears or eyes, or tattoos with metallic ink, for example — are not good candidates for TMS.
Patients may continue psychotherapy while using TMS for depression. Learn more about TMS Therapy for depression at www.magstim.com.
Talk to your Northwest Arkansas Psychiatry doctor about TMS.
Request an Appointment
NWA Psychiatry is accepting new patients. To request an appointment, call our office at (479) 571-6363 or request an appointment online (myMANA portal account required).
Our psychiatrists accept most insurance plans. Please see our insurance guide for more information. We do not require a referral from your primary care provider unless required by your insurance.