Who is a Good Candidate for TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be very beneficial for people with certain mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder. Many people are eager to try TMS once they hear about the treatment and how it can help alleviate symptoms. Ultimately, however, determining who is a good candidate for TMS is done on a case-by-case basis. This is an individualized treatment. To be considered for it, patients must first meet TMS criteria. Here’s what you should know about TMS and whether it may work for you. 

Understanding the TMS Treatment Process

It’s helpful to understand how TMS works to see if it will be a good fit for you. There are some key characteristics worth noting:

• Side effects are minimal. The main one is a tapping sensation on the scalp during treatment. Also, patients sometimes have a mild headache after treatment. These headaches can be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever. 
• TMS is non-invasive and doesn’t require a sedative, so you can drive yourself to and from treatment without any downtime.
• During treatment, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp. Magnetic pulses are emitted from the coil that turn into gentle electrical currents in the brain. These currents stimulate targeted areas of the brain.
• Treatment sessions last between 18 and 40 minutes. A typical course of TMS takes place every weekday over several weeks, then less frequently towards the end of treatment.

TMS is a personalized treatment customized to each patient. Before getting started, however, potential candidates for treatment need to meet certain TMS requirements.

Important TMS Criteria

You must meet the following TMS qualifications to be approved for treatment:

• Mental Health Condition: TMS is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), smoking cessation, and anxiety symptoms related to depression (also called depressive anxiety). It is currently not cleared for the treatment of other mental health conditions. 
• Treatment History: TMS is generally used for people who are still not doing well in spite of trying medications and/or talk therapy. However, people often continue their medications and/or therapy while they’re getting TMS. 
• Age: TMS is normally for people 15 years old and up, and for now, it is not approved for children or adolescents. Patients who are almost 15 are in a “grey area” and might be appropriate for TMS - and that can be determined by the TMS provider.
• Health History: Due to the nature of TMS treatment, people might not qualify if they have implanted metal objects in the head (except for dental fillings—those are fine) or implants such as pacemakers or vagus nerve stimulators. Neurological complications, such as epilepsy risk or head injury, might also disqualify someone from treatment. If you have any of these conditions, it doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from treatment; our Care Team will be able to give you guidance based on your specific situation.
  

How Greenbrook TMS Can Help You

Still want to know if you meet the basic TMS requirements for treatment? Take our quiz to see if TMS could help you. Our staff can also answer any questions and review your history. Plus, they can check your insurance coverage for TMS and coordinate your payment options. We understand how important it is to give all of our patients a clear and accurate picture of the financial costs of TMS. We can also help you find third-party financing if you don’t have insurance coverage for TMS.

After that, you’ll meet with one of our affiliated psychiatrists, whose evaluation will determine if TMS is a good fit for you. You also have ample opportunities to ask questions about your treatment. We encourage you to talk with our providers about their experience delivering TMS, what type of outcomes they’ve seen in other patients, and details about what an individualized TMS plan may look like for your particular case. You can also clarify the potential pros and cons of TMS and take time to research the treatment on your own so that you have confidence in your mental health treatment.

Once you’re approved and ready to proceed, the psychiatrist develops your personalized plan, and treatment can begin. Results vary from patient to patient. Our care team will carefully monitor your progress over the ensuing weeks. We’re here to help you discover the potential benefits of TMS. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.