FDA Clears TMS System for Anxiety Symptom Relief

FDA Clears TMS System for Anxiety Symptom Relief

Prospective patients often ask us, “Is TMS FDA approved for anxiety?” Until recently, the answer was a straightforward no. But in an exciting development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the use of BrainsWay’s deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation™ (TMS) system to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety in people with major depressive disorder. 

This is welcome news for the millions of people who have struggled with the common co-occurrence of depression and anxiety, especially for those who haven’t found relief with other treatment methods, such as medication or talk therapy. 

Distinctions Between Depression and Anxiety 

TMS has been FDA-cleared for treatment of major depressive disorder since 2008. It’s important to note that this new ruling approves the use of BrainsWay deep TMS to treat anxiety in people with depression, not an anxiety disorder itself. As far as we know, TMS is not effective for anxiety disorders by themselves.

Anxiety and depression can be interlinked, possibly because both conditions are impacted by low levels of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin. Anxiety is very common in depressed patients. For those suffering from depression, more than half have at least moderate anxiety, and many have severe anxiety. Similarly, patients with anxiety disorders often also have depression.

If you’re someone who is experiencing symptoms in both categories, it’s critical to get a diagnosis to ensure the proper treatment plan is put in place to address anxiety and depression.

Depression and Anxiety Treatment Cases of co-occurring depression and anxiety can be treated with medications and therapeutic intervention as a starting point. Either modality can be used on its own, or in combination with each other. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is perhaps the most common form of talk therapy used for anxiety and depression treatment. A CBT therapist helps patients examine their negative beliefs and thought patterns, giving them the necessary tools to replace those feelings with more positive behaviors. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) may also be recommended for people with co-occurring anxiety and depression. This is an offshoot of CBT that believes patients must accept their negative patterns as part of life, and by accepting those challenges they can move towards change. Also, DBT coping mechanisms can be used when a patient is in emotional or physical distress. 

Medications are the other common component of a treatment plan. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that can also be used to manage anxiety symptoms. Typical SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), and paroxetine (Paxil®). 

Other antidepressants used for depression and anxiety include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclics. Duloxetine (Cymbalta®) is an example of an SNRI, while amitriptyline (Elavil®) is a type of tricyclic. Anxiety medications also include buspirone or benzodiazepines such as Xanax®. Prescription medications for depression include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil®). 

Sometimes, however, medication and talk therapy don’t deliver the desired results. The new FDA clearance for the BrainSway TMS system indicates the promise TMS holds for people with depression who are seeking relief from anxiety symptoms. The data submitted to the FDA analyzed the results of 573 people across three randomized controlled trials and 11 studies where people had undergone deep TMS. According to the FDA report granting the clearance, BrainsWay’s deep TMS system produced “consistent, robust and clinically meaningful” results when compared to medication or placebo treatment. 

Contact Us for TMS Treatment Today 

TMS is an effective treatment option for depression, as well as for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and smoking cessation. Magnetic technology is the foundation for how TMS works. With an electromagnetic coil placed precisely on the scalp, near the left temple, magnetic pulses turn into gentle electrical currents that stimulate targeted areas of the brain. 

Proper brain function is restored and symptoms are alleviated during a course of treatment, which is typically every weekday for several weeks, and then less frequent toward the end of treatment. Each session lasts from 18 to 40 minutes. TMS is non-invasive, no drugs are involved and side effects are minimal, so you can drive yourself to and from treatment and keep up with your normal schedule. Talk with us to find out if TMS is right for you or a loved one. Schedule your free consultation today.