TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
for Depression
MEDICATION-FREE, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FDA CLEARED TREATMENT for Depression
Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain
Non-invasive and well-tolerated
No systemic side effects and safe
No cognitive side effects
Suitable for long-term treatment
TMS Treatment Plan
Fast 19 minute in-office-treatment including 5 treatments per week for approximately 6 weeks.
You are awake and alert during treatment. No medications necessary during the treatment.
Daily routine activities are possible immediately after treatment including driving.
BENEFITS of TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
Medication-Free
TMS is a medication-free treatment that can work in conjunction with your other therapies. It is significantly more effective than medications alone.
Non-invasive and safe
TMS is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require surgery or anesthesia. It's FDA-cleared and has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.
No systemic or cognitive side effects
Unlike many medications, TMS doesn't cause systemic side effects like weight gain or sexual dysfunction. It also doesn't impair cognitive function, allowing you to maintain clarity and focus throughout treatment.
Suitable for long-term treatment
TMS can be used for both acute and maintenance treatment, providing ongoing support for managing depression and preventing relapse.
What is TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION and how does it work?
Dr. Albright first learned about TMS at McLean Hospital in 2015.
TMS boosts BRAIN ACTIVITY
These are images from a SPECT Scan1 (single photon emission computed tomography) scan of the cumulative results from 12 men receiving TMS.
The red-orange in these images show increases in blood flow in the brain as a result of TMS treatment. The bottom left image shows increased blood flow below the TMS coil. Other images also reveal increased blood flow in deeper brain regions involved in mood regulation and correlate with how TMS treats depression.
This scan is an example of how TMS only directly effects the brain circuits involved in mood regulation and not other circuits as medications do, resulting in unwanted side effects.
WHAT TO EXPECT
01
Before Treatment
Your TMS journey begins with a personalized consultation. We'll take the time to understand your unique needs and medical history, ensuring TMS is the right fit for you. We'll then attain a prior authorization for insurance approval. Once approved, you will have a first appointment in which we precisely determine the optimal location for stimulation.
02
During Treatment
During each session, you'll relax comfortably in a chair while wearing earplugs. A small magnet will be placed gently against your head to deliver targeted stimulation that feels like tapping on your scalp.
These sessions are quick and convenient, typically lasting only 19 minutes. You'll remain awake and alert throughout the entire process, allowing you to return to your daily activities immediately afterward.
03
After Treatment
One of the greatest benefits of TMS therapy is that there's no downtime. You can resume your normal routine, including driving, right after your session. We'll continue to monitor your progress closely, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Our dedicated team is committed to supporting you every step of the way on your journey to lasting relief from depression.
SAFE, INSURANCE-BASED,
MEDICATION-FREE ALTERNATIVE
Renowned national TMS expert, John Mathews, APRN and Shelby Jennings, TMS coordinator
Sweetgrass Psychiatry has invested in the top of the line TMS device: Apollo due to its safety and efficacy profile.
TMS is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that uses magnetic technology targeted towards the area of the brain involved in mood regulation. TMS treatment has been approved by FDA since 2008 for patients with depression who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode. It has also more recently been approved for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
TMS has been demonstrated to be safe, well tolerated, and more effective than medications. It does not involve surgery. During treatment, patients remain awake and alert. Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after treatment.
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Treatments are typically five days per week on weekdays and last about 19 minutes. A course of TMS treatments is usually between 6-7 weeks, depending on the individual’s condition and response.
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Controlled clinical studies¹ applying TMS on patients for major depression showed that:
Approximately 1 out of 2 patients experience significant improvement in depression symptoms.
Approximately 1 out of 3 patients experienced complete symptom relief after the full TMS therapy.
1) Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for major depression: a multisite, naturalistic, observational study of acute treatment outcomes in clinical practice. Depression and Anxiety, 29(7):587-596. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22689344.
2) Rossi S, et al. (2009). Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research. Clin Neurophysiol, 120(12):2008-39. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19833552.
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It is currently covered by BCBS, Medicare, Aetna, United, Tricare, Humana, and Cigna.
SWEETGRASS PSYCHIATRY
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TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
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SWEETGRASS PSYCHIATRY · TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION ·
HOW TO START TREATMENT
To start treatment, give the office a call and specifically request for a TMS intake appointment with Dr. Das or have your psychiatrist/therapist/primary care doctor fax us a referral to (888)316-7716.
Providers who are interesting in referring patients to TMS, refer to our Sweetgrass Psychiatry TMS Referral Guide.
TMS treatment location: 710 Johnnie Dodds, Suite 200, Mount Pleasant SC 29464 - wheelchair accessible and ample parking
TMS Important Safety Information
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with an estimated 350 million people suffering from this serious disorder (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/). Although many different forms of medication therapies exist, these may be unsatisfactory due to a lack of effectiveness or undesirable side effects.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS in short, can help achieve remission in major depressive disorder as an alternative, FDA approved treatment for patients that did not benefit from prior antidepressant medications. TMS is an approach which uses magnetic pulses to accurately stimulate neural activity.
TMS treatment is:
Non-invasive, meaning it does not involve surgery, anesthesia or sedation of any kind.
Non-systemic, meaning it is not a pill that has to be swallowed and does not circulate the blood stream.
The technology is similar to that of MRI scanners – short magnetic pulses are emitted from a butterfly-like coil, which can painlessly pass through the intact skull and to the outer regions of the brain. Here, very short and very small electric fields are induced, which in turn can influence neural activity. By stimulating with several pulses over several treatment sessions, TMS can have lasting effects on the brain. As such the therapeutic approach with TMS is to inhibit over-active areas in the brain or, as is the case in a depression treatment, excite under-active regions. TMS is a proven and safe treatment method with very few side-effects. The most common side-effect is transient pain, transient headaches, discomfort at the treatment-site or short uneasiness or dizziness. In extremely rare cases, epileptic seizures may be induced (although no seizures were observed during TMS FDA clinical trials that included over 10,000 treatment sessions.). TMS is free of most side-effects which are typically associated with antidepressant medications such as weight gain, sexual problems or upset stomach.
Each TMS treatment session takes approximately 19 minutes. Before and right after treatment, the patient can directly come and go from their normal everyday activities. In total, the patient receives 5 therapy sessions for approximately 6 weeks. Patients are alert and awake during treatment.
Controlled clinical trials applying TMS on patients who had failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medications showed that:
Approximately 1 out of 2 patients experienced significant improvement in depression symptoms.
Approximately 1 out of 3 patients experienced complete symptom relief after the full TMS therapy.
Please ask your doctor if TMS is right for you. You should not apply TMS if any of the following conditions apply:
You have implants such as cochlear implants, internal pulse generators, medication pumps, pacemakers or other implanted devices. - You have metal of any kind in the head or brain area.
You have a history of epilepsy.
You have had a vascular, traumatic, tumoral, infectious, or metabolic lesion of the brain.
You are pregnant.
TMS is a safe form of treatment that has been cleared by FDA since 2008 for patients with depression who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from one prior antidepressant medication at or above the minimal effective dose and duration in the current episode.
For additional information, read about TMS from the Mayo Clinic.
If you are unsatisfied with your current depression medication or worry about its side effects and are looking for a proven, drug-free alternative, call Sweetgrass Psychiatry for a TMS evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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TMS is FDA-approved for adults with major depressive disorder who haven't responded to at least one antidepressant medication. Our team will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if TMS is the right treatment option for you.
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During a TMS session, you'll be comfortably seated in a chair while a magnetic coil is placed against your scalp. You may feel a slight tapping sensation and hear clicking sounds during the treatment, but it's generally painless. You'll remain awake and alert throughout the session and can resume your normal activities immediately afterward.
A typical TMS treatment plan involves five sessions per week for approximately six weeks. Each session lasts around 19 minutes. No medications are necessary during the treatment, and you can continue your daily routine, including driving, immediately after each session.
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TMS is generally well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing minimal side effects. Some may experience mild scalp discomfort or headaches, which usually subside quickly. In rare cases, more serious side effects like seizures can occur, but these are uncommon. Our team will closely monitor you throughout your treatment to ensure your safety and comfort.
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Clinical studies have shown that TMS is an effective treatment for depression, with approximately 50% of patients experiencing significant improvement in their symptoms. About 30% of patients achieve complete remission after a full course of TMS therapy.
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Yes, TMS is covered by most major insurance plans, including BCBS, Medicare, Aetna, United, Tricare, Humana, and Cigna. Our team will assist you in verifying your coverage and benefits.
Where EXPERTISE
meets EMPATHY
From meditation to medication management, we are available in-person or from anywhere in South Carolina.
Contact us at (843) 800-1303.