TMS Therapy

Omobolaji Oyebanjo-Popoola, MD, and the team at The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Decatur, Stockbridge, Villa Rica and Hiram, Georgia, understand that antidepressants don’t help everyone struggling with depression, and they offer other treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. TMS therapy uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for mood, alleviating symptoms. To learn more about TMS therapy and how it might benefit you, call or book an appointment online today. Telepsychiatry appointments are available.

What is TMS therapy?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that benefits mental health conditions like depression. 

Though researchers are still learning about what causes depression, they theorize that mood disorder occurs because of a decrease in activity in areas of the brain that control mood. 

TMS therapy emits magnetic pulses to the inactive areas of the brain to stimulate activity, improving mood. 

TMS therapy is a safe, drug-free approach to treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic is excited to offer TMS therapy to their patients. 

Am I a candidate for TMS therapy?

Your provider at The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic determines if you’re a candidate for TMS therapy after a consultation. They may recommend the innovative treatment if you have depression and traditional antidepressants and psychotherapy fail to improve your symptoms.

The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic offers telepsychiatry appointments for consultations, but TMS therapy is an in-office treatment.

What happens during TMS therapy?

Your provider at The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic reviews the details of your TMS therapy at your consultation, so you know what to expect. The first appointment is the longest and may take about an hour.

While you sit and relax in the TMS therapy chair, your provider places the magnetic cap on your head. They first do brain mapping to find the inactive areas of the brain and then adjust the magnetic energy dose until they determine your optimal rate.

You may hear and feel a tapping sensation during your therapy, but most people tolerate treatment without pain. You can resume your usual activities following your TMS therapy.

You need 4-5 TMS therapy treatments a week for 4-6 weeks to get the most benefits. Follow-up therapy sessions take about 30 minutes. 

When can I expect results from TMS therapy?

You may start to see improvements in your symptoms about 2-3 weeks after you start treatment. The team at The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic recommends you continue taking your antidepressants and participating in psychotherapy when undergoing TMS therapy.

Call The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic or book an appointment online to learn more about TMS therapy and how it can help you.