TMS Therapy Near Me in Santa Monica
TMS Therapy Near Me
TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a type of depression treatment that delivers magnetic pulses to the brain to stimulate the area of the brain that is responsible for improving moods and easing depression symptoms. The treatment is non-invasive, and an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp. The procedure is undergone when a patient hasn’t responded to other depression treatments that involve medication and talk therapy.
What to expect in TMS Therapy
Before Treatment: Before you begin your treatment, your doctor will request two types of analyses. First, your doctor will require lab tests to be performed to evaluate your physical condition. Secondly, your doctor will evaluate your depression level to determine if the procedure is required, or if medication might be a better option for you. If your doctor recommends TMS, your appointment is then set.
Your First Appointment: In your first appointment your doctor will make sure you are sitting comfortably and will then give you earplugs to wear. Once you are settled, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your head. The coil will be set on and off repeatedly to create magnetic pulses that stimulate your brain. These pulses target the area that controls your mood. You will hear clicking sounds using your earplugs. You may also feel some tapping on your forehead. During your first appointment, your doctor determines the amount of magnetic energy needed to stimulate your nerve cells.
Your Subsequent Appointments: During your subsequent appointments, your sessions will take less time, probably 40 minutes to complete the session. You will still hear the clicking sounds and feel the tapping on your forehead.
After Each Appointment: After every appointment, you can expect to feel quite normal. You can drive and work as you normally do. If there are any side effects, inform your doctor.
After Treatment: After you complete all your sessions, your depression symptoms are expected to drastically reduce or even completely go away. Treatment takes about 6 weeks if your appointments are scheduled at least 5 times a week or preferably daily.
We advise our patients to create long-term healthy habits such as adequate sleep and eating healthy. We can help you fight stubborn depression, talk with us.