Accelerated TMS For Depression: Am I A Good Candidate?

If you’re currently experiencing depression, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Depression is very common, affecting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, while traditional antidepressant medications can effectively treat depression, they simply don’t work for everyone.

Have you taken antidepressants before but not responded well to them? If so, accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a promising treatment option. This non-invasive, personalized therapy has numerous benefits, including effectiveness, safety, fast treatment sessions, and long-lasting results. 

Thankfully, many individuals are good candidates for this therapy. In this blog, I’m discussing the benefits of accelerated TMS therapy and how to determine if it’s right for you.

What Is Accelerated TMS for Depression?

I’m glad you asked. Accelerated TMS is non-invasive and FDA-approved. It uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is a type of repetitive TMS designed to deliver multiple pulses in a shorter period than traditional TMS.

Accelerated TMS treatment involves using a TMS machine, which will administer a series of electromagnetic pulses to a specific area of your brain. The pulses are delivered through a coil that’s placed on your scalp. The coil generates the magnetic field that passes through your skull and into your brain. 

This stimulation activates the nerve cells in your brain. That activation can improve your mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. At the same time, it rebuilds your brain’s networks for long-term effectiveness.

Accelerated vs. Traditional TMS Therapy

So, what’s the difference between accelerated vs. traditional TMS therapy? Great question. Traditional TMS usually lasts for six weeks, while accelerated TMS lasts for one week. You’ll receive 10 treatments in one day instead of one treatment per day. Receiving all your treatments in one week means greater relief, faster. 

Both traditional and accelerated TMS treatments come with a high pulse rate called a theta burst that speeds up sessions so they only last about five minutes.

There are lots of studies and clinical trials that show just how effective accelerated TMS is. Plus, some studies show that accelerated TMS is more effective than traditional TMS for treating depression. And TMS has fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants, which will be a breath of fresh air if this is something you’ve struggled with in the past. 

Overall, accelerated TMS is a safe and effective treatment option if you’re suffering from depression and have not responded well to traditional antidepressant medications. 

Let’s look at the benefits of accelerated TMS for depression.

Benefits of Accelerated TMS for Depression

Of course, you’ll want to know about the benefits of this treatment option. As it turns out, there are multiple benefits to accelerated TMS treatment. It’s effective, safe, non-invasive, fast, long-lasting, has fewer side effects, and is personalized to you. 

1. Effective: If accelerated TMS works for you, it can effectively improve your mood and alleviate some of your depression symptoms. In some cases, accelerated TMS is actually more effective than traditional antidepressants. 
2. Safe: If you’re looking for a safe treatment option, look no further. There are very few side effects for me to tell you about. The most common side effects include mild to moderate discomfort at the treatment site, headaches, and muscle twitching.
3. Non-Invasive: You don’t need to go under anesthesia or sedation for accelerated TMS. The treatment is done on an outpatient basis, so you can get back to your day as soon as the treatment is over.
4. Fast: Accelerated TMS therapy is fast. Sessions are shorter than traditional TMS, only lasting for one week, so you can quickly see improvement. This is great if you’re looking for fast relief for intense symptoms.
5. Long-Lasting: You’ll be glad to know that the benefits of accelerated TMS can last long after you’ve completed treatment. Some studies have shown benefits lasting over a year.
6. Fewer Side Effects: If you’ve experienced unpleasant side effects from antidepressants, you’ll be relieved to know that accelerated TMS doesn’t come with all those side effects.
7. Personalized: Accelerated TMS therapy is tailored to your individual needs. The treatment is based on your specific symptoms and medical history. It’s designed to be customized to provide you with the best possible outcomes.

As you can see, accelerated TMS treatment has quite a few benefits. The only question is whether you’re a good candidate for it. Let’s discuss that now.

Am I A Good Candidate?

Accelerated TMS therapy is an effective and safe treatment for depression. However, not everyone suffering from depression is a good candidate for this therapy. I recommend discussing the following factors with your healthcare provider to determine if accelerated TMS for depression is a good treatment option for your depression. 

1. Previous treatment options: If you have tried several antidepressants without seeing any improvement in your symptoms, you may be a good candidate for accelerated TMS therapy.
2. The severity of the depression: If you have moderate to severe depression, you are more likely to benefit from accelerated TMS therapy than those with mild depression.
3. Medical history: If you have a history of seizures or other neurological disorders, you may not be a good candidate for accelerated TMS therapy. The same goes if you have metallic implants in your head or neck, such as pacemakers or cochlear implants.
4. Other medical conditions: If you have another medical condition, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, you may not be a good candidate for this therapy.
5. Willingness to undergo treatment: It is important to commit to the entire course of treatment, which usually involves 10 treatments per day for an entire week. If you cannot attend all of the sessions, you may not be a good candidate for this therapy.

Discussing these factors with your healthcare provider is the best way to determine whether accelerated TMS is right for you. 

Accelerated TMS Therapy With Brain Health Center

If you’re considering accelerated TMS for depression treatment, contact Brain Health Center today. We’re experts in TMS therapy and can provide you with the care you need. We offer both traditional and accelerated TMS and would be happy to work with you to determine if this is a good treatment option. 

Call us at 435.900.0123, or email us at hello@brainhc.com to get started on your journey with accelerated TMS therapy.