When depression persists despite treatment, it can begin to affect nearly every part of life. Motivation may become difficult to find, relationships can feel more challenging, and even familiar routines may require considerable effort. For people who have not found sufficient relief from medication, exploring a different treatment approach can offer new breakthroughs.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a science-backed, non-invasive treatment that works by using magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas involved in mood regulation. At The Grant Group, TMS is available as an option for appropriate adults and adolescents with depression, and is an evidence-based approach to consider when conventional treatments have not provided adequate relief. Learn more about the science behind TMS and depression and discover if TMS is right for you with The Grant Group today.
TMS is backed by science to treat depression. TMS works by using an electromagnetic coil positioned near the scalp to deliver repeated magnetic pulses. These pulses create small electrical currents that stimulate neurons and the neural circuits they form. Unlike medication, which travels throughout the body, TMS is directed toward specific areas of the brain.
One area commonly targeted during TMS for depression is the prefrontal cortex, which plays an important role in mood and emotional regulation. Research suggests that depression can involve changes in activity and communication within brain networks associated with mood. By stimulating targeted regions, TMS may help influence these circuits and promote healthier patterns of brain activity.
The effects of TMS are not simply about stimulating the brain once. Repeated sessions are used to produce changes in neural activity over time. This is one reason TMS is generally administered as a course of treatments rather than a single appointment.
TMS has become an established, science-backed treatment option for people whose depression has not improved sufficiently with other approaches. The FDA first cleared TMS for depression in 2008, and the treatment has since been cleared for additional depression-related indications. NIMH notes that substantial evidence supports TMS for reducing depressive symptoms, particularly when medication has not been effective or has not been well tolerated.
TMS may be particularly worth discussing when depression continues despite attempts with antidepressant medication. It is also different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), because TMS uses magnetic pulses rather than inducing a seizure and does not require anesthesia or sedation. Patients remain awake during treatment and can generally return to their normal activities afterward.
Because depression can affect people differently, determining whether TMS is appropriate requires an individualized psychiatric evaluation, where our psychiatrists evaluate your symptoms, treatment history, overall health, and previous response to treatment when discussing available options.
The science backing up TMS therapy for depression is not limited to adult patients. In March 2024, the FDA cleared TMS as an adjunctive treatment for depression in adolescents ages 15 and older. This gives families another treatment option to discuss with a qualified psychiatric provider when an adolescent continues to experience significant depressive symptoms. TMS can be an ideal treatment option for adolescents because it is performed without surgery, anesthesia, or medication being administered during the procedure.
However, the appropriate treatment plan depends on the individual. Our psychiatrist team can help determine whether TMS is suitable on its own for adolescent patients, or if it better fits into a broader plan that includes medication management or other forms of psychiatric care.
Living with depression that has not responded adequately to treatment can be discouraging, but you do not have to stop exploring your options. TMS is a scientifically supported, non-invasive approach for depression that works directly with brain circuits involved in mood regulation.
At The Grant Group, our psychiatrists provide individualized care for adults and adolescents and can evaluate whether TMS may be appropriate based on your symptoms and treatment history. If you are interested in learning more about the science behind TMS for depression, contact The Grant Group today to schedule an evaluation and learn more about your treatment options.
