TMS Q & A
What is TMS?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) stimulates activity in neurons using a device that sends magnetic pulses into the brain. When TMS is repeatedly delivered, it restores normal brainwave activity and produces long-term improvement in mental health conditions.
The device that creates the magnetic pulse is placed near the head, where it’s strategically positioned to ensure the appropriate region of the brain is targeted. The magnetic waves only treat the targeted area; they don’t affect the rest of the brain.
What is PrTMS?
PrTMS improves TMS by building a customized treatment program tailored to each patient. It is used similarly to treat depression and other mental health conditions but significantly improves outcomes by personalizing therapy to meet the brain’s unique brainwave pattern. Our team at MindSet has developed three steps to optimize PrTMS results.
For the first step, we map brainwave activity using an electroencephalogram (EEG). Using our AI program, we can produce an accurate image of the brain’s electrical activity, allowing us to identify brain arrhythmias.
For the second step, patients complete a questionnaire that identifies symptoms, giving our team a comprehensive analysis of mental health and enabling us to target the precise brain areas that are associated with a patient’s particular challenges.
Finally, the EEG data and self-reported symptoms are evaluated by our innovative AI software. This advanced program produces the information needed to develop a customized PrTMS therapy protocol for each unique brain mapping.
Am I a good candidate for PrTMS?
If you haven’t responded well to depression medications or other treatment options, TMS may help treat your depression symptoms. TMS is a more uncommon treatment for depression, but it can work well for patients who haven’t felt better with other treatments.
You may also benefit from TMS therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy and medication. Finding the best strategy to treat your depression may require some trial and error while you find out what works for you.
Talk with the doctors at MindSet for more information about your treatment options.
What should I expect during PrTMS treatment?
Your treatment will consist of five sessions every week for 6-8 weeks. The sessions only take about 30 minutes, and when they’re over, patients can get back to normal daily activities.
Throughout treatment, patients have additional EEGs to evaluate progress and refine the PrTMS therapy. This ongoing evaluation gives the team at MindSet the ability to use the lowest possible TMS intensity to achieve optimal results.
Most patients at MindSet experience an improvement in their symptoms within several weeks of when their PrTMS treatments begin. Though not as common, patients may notice results within a few days.
If you or someone you know struggles with a mental health disorder and their symptoms don’t respond to conventional treatments, PrTMS can help. To schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
