Can you imagine that you can effectively treat or even eliminate depression from your life without medication? TMS can do that. In 62% of cases, TMS knocks out depressive symptoms in safe, non-invasive, painless treatments.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses specific magnetic pulses to treat depression at its source, within the brain’s inactive nerve cells. At Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling in Bentonville, Arkansas, the an experienced team of TMS experts in the Northwest Arkansas region uses the industry’s top-rated TMS system, NeuroStar®, to help patients with depression find rapid relief. Call the office or click online scheduling to learn more about this noninvasive, drug-free treatment.
Request an AppointmentWhat is TMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a unique method of treating chronic depression. In this type of therapy, a magnet, about the same power as the ones in MRI machines, emits pulses that stimulate certain nerve cells in the brain.
Experts believe that this specific area of the brain is underactive in people struggling with depression, so the TMS “wakes up” that sleepy area and helps improve neurotransmitter (brain chemical) levels. Ultimately, the improved neurotransmitter levels can relieve depression.
Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling is proud to have the state-of-the-art NeuroStar TMS system in its office. The team includes licensed NeuroStar specialists who are experts in administering this unique therapy.
About 83% of patients who complete NeuroStar TMS experience significant depression relief, and 62% have full depression remission. So far, it’s helped more than 3 million people to find relief from their debilitating depression symptoms.
Who is TMS for?
TMS is for people who struggle with depression that doesn’t improve with medications such as antidepressants. NeuroStar is also FDA cleared to treat depression along with anxiety (anxious depression) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What can I expect during TMS?
You’ll sit in a cushy chair, and the team positions a padded curved coil on one side of your head. You’ll hear clicking noises and feel light tapping against your head. The process is not painful.
During the treatment, the magnetic pulses are repeatedly delivered to the ideal location and depth within the brain.
Studies show that this specific pattern of pulses promotes the brain’s ability to repair itself, adapt, and change, which means that TMS can have long-lasting results.
You’ll be awake for the whole TMS session, which lasts about 20 minutes. It doesn’t affect your memory or sleep, and you can resume your regular routine immediately after.
How often do I need TMS?
TMS works best when sessions occur close together over a short period, so you’ll have NeuroStar sessions for 20 minutes per treatment, five days a week over about six weeks.
TMS is proven safe and effective. There are virtually no side effects. NeuroStar has collected a large body of evidence supporting its use in patients struggling to find relief with other treatment methods. Call Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling or book an appointment online now to learn more.
Treatment Schedule and Insurance Coverage
TMS is most effective when conducted five days a week for four to six weeks. Clinical evidence strongly supports its safety and efficacy, particularly for patients who have not responded to other treatments.
NeuroStar TMS is FDA-cleared for adults with Major Depressive Disorder who have not found relief with medications. Most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare, cover TMS treatment. Our team will guide you through the qualification process during your consultation.
NeuroStar TMS targets underactive brain regions associated with depression using focused magnetic stimulation. TMS is NOT like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), NeuroStar does not require anesthesia and does not cause memory loss.
Depression is believed to be caused by neurotransmitter imbalances. NeuroStar TMS helps restore balance, offering a non-invasive, medication-free alternative to those who have struggled with traditional treatments or who want to avoid medications.
How Does NeuroStar Advanced Therapy Work?
NeuroStar uses a magnetic coil similar in strength to an MRI machine to stimulate nerve cells in mood-regulating areas of the brain. This stimulation increases neurotransmitter activity, potentially leading to long-term depression remission.
Key Benefits of NeuroStar Advanced Therapy:
- In-office treatment with no recovery time
- Patients remain awake and alert
- No negative effects on memory or sleep
- Covered by most insurance plans
What Happens Before, During, and After Treatment?
- Before Treatment: Patients relax in a treatment chair while a small, curved magnetic coil is positioned on your head.
- During Treatment: Magnetic pulses stimulate target brain areas. Patients feel a light tapping sensation.
- After Treatment: Sessions last 19-37 minutes, after which patients can resume normal activities immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMS?
TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to alleviate depression symptoms. It is primarily used when antidepressant medications are ineffective.
How long is TMS treatment?
A full treatment course consists of daily sessions (19-37 minutes each) over 4-6 weeks.
Is TMS covered by insurance?
TMS is a covered procedure under most commercial insurance plans.
Does TMS have side effects?
Unlike antidepressants, TMS does not cause systemic side effects like weight gain, nausea, loss of libido or sedation. The most common side effects are mild headaches and scalp discomfort, which usually subside after a few treatments.
How does TMS differ from other magnet therapies?
Unlike static magnetic products, TMS delivers targeted, high-intensity pulses that actively stimulate brain cells, promoting therapeutic benefits.
If you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone: depression rates among Americans have recently reached new highs. At Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling, the team of elite mental health professionals is here to help you overcome depression to experience joy, happiness, and hope again. Depression treatment includes TMS, Talk Therapy and Psychiatry. The empathetic specialists understand the feelings you’re struggling with and are here to make it easy to get quality mental health care. Telehealth and office-based care are available in the Bentonville, Arkansas, office. Please request an appointment by scheduling here or call the office today.
What are the signs of depression?
Depression often causes symptoms that change your whole life for the worse. Some common problems include:
- Sad mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of pessimism
- Feelings of guilt
- Loss of interest in your hobbies
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Low energy
- Poor sleep
- Appetite changes
- Weight changes
- Physical issues like headaches, cramps, and digestive problems
- Preoccupation with death
- Thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation is an emergency requiring immediate help)
You don’t have to bear these burdens alone: the Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling specialists offer compassionate patient-focused care that can help you get through these challenges.
How can I tell when my sadness is actually depression?
Sadness is a key aspect of depression, so it’s natural to wonder whether you’re dealing with normal feelings or a more serious depressive disorder.
In general, your sadness might be major depressive disorder if you’re struggling for at least two weeks, and it disrupts your daily life (sleep, work, eating, and other basic daily needs).
Less-severe symptoms of depression that last for at least two years may be a type of depression called persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).
The best way to know what you’re dealing with is an evaluation at Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling. The team can expertly assess your physical and mental symptoms, make a diagnosis, and give you the help you need.
What can I expect from depression treatment?
The Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling team offers customized depression treatment through telehealth and in the office. Treatments include:
Counseling
Mental health counseling is usually the foundation of depression care. Counseling helps you detect the root causes of your depression, guides you to change your thought patterns, and gives you a road map to healthy change.
Medication
Medication, like antidepressants, can offer dramatic depression relief for many people. But, because the goal of depression treatment is to create positive, long-lasting changes in your life, you need counseling alongside your medication.
Alternative therapies
Alternative therapies, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), have demonstrated remarkable results in people with treatment-resistant depression and depression alongside anxiety (anxious depression).
The Northwest Psychiatry & Counseling team believes in its patients, and they’re honored that you trust them with your depression care. To connect with an experienced counselor, call the office or click the online booking feature now.