No! TMS is a very different treatment option than ECT, with no need for sedation and significantly less risks of side effects.  ECT uses electricity to illicit a controlled seizure in the brain.  ECT is done under sedation, and the patient is incapacitated to drive for the rest of the day.  ECT can have effects on cognition as well.  TMS uses an MRI strength magnet to stimulate the prefrontal cortex of the brain.  Patients are free to drive themselves to and from treatment.  There is no sedation for this non-invasive treatment and no effect on cognition.  TMS is done in our office and there is no need to travel to a larger facility for the treatment.

TMS is a highly focused MRI-Strength magnetic pulse that non-invasively stimulates the brain and treats major depression.

Specifically: The magnetic pulse depolarizes the cortical neurons in the brain which promotes the release of neurotransmitters.  By depolarizing these neurons it modulates deeper regions of the brain that effect mood.  Repeated pulse stimulation to this region of the brain are proven to have anti-depressant effect.  TMS therapy eliminates the side effects and adverse events often associated with antidepressant medications because it does not circulate throughout the body.  This targeted approach to treatment is FDA approved, safe and effective. 

Unlike ECT, there are no negative long-term effects associated with TMS therapy. TMS therapy continues to gain popularity with physicians and patients because it is safe, effective and tolerable.

Discontinuing your medication is a decision that needs to be made between you and your healthcare provider.  However, TMS therapy can be administered while a patient is on medication.  It is actually preferred that you remain on your medication until therapy has completed.

Patients have reported feeling differently as early as day 1.  Some patients don't feel anything at all until around the 4-week mark.  The response will be individual to you as a patient.

Each treatment session lasts anywhere from 18 to 30minutes depending on the prescribed dose. The initial course of treatment will involve at least 30 consecutive treatment sessions over a 6-week period.  That is a treatment session each day Monday thru Friday, plus 6 taper sessions in week 7 and 8.

All patients respond differently to TMS therapy.  However, clinical studies support that 45% of patients achieve full remission from major depressive symptoms.  That's nearly half of patients going on to live their life free from depression.  68% of patients respond positively to TMS therapy.  Response is classified as a 50% reduction in symptoms from baseline.  That is nearly 7/10 patients that go on to live their lives with less depression and a higher quality life.  There have been over 2.5million treatments with TMS with the numbers continuing to rapidly grow as more patients are considering TMS as a treatment option. 

Patients report feeling a light tap on the top of their head underneath the treatment coil.  This tapping sensation is a result of the magnet delivering pulses for treatment.  Few patients have reported scalp discomfort at the treatment site.