Beyond Medication: How TMS Therapy is Revolutionizing Depression Treatment in NYC

If you’re living with depression and have tried multiple medications and therapies without success, you may feel frustrated and defeated. While many people get relief from their symptoms with traditional interventions such as these, these methods don’t work for everyone.

At NYC Psychiatric Associates in Manhattan, New York, our team of psychiatrists and therapists understands the challenges that people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) face when it comes to getting relief from their symptoms.

But all is not lost. Newer treatments can help those who fail to get results with traditional methods. One of these is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. Here’s how TMS therapy is revolutionizing depression treatment beyond medication.

What is TMS therapy?

TMS therapy uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain that manage your mood. It’s a noninvasive treatment we do while you’re awake. It takes 30 minutes or less  and causes little to no pain. It involves the use of an electromagnetic coil that goes on your head and delivers pulses that penetrate the scalp and target the brain cells.

TMS is FDA-cleared for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) that hasn’t improved with traditional methods. It’s a treatment beyond medications that helps give people the relief they need. It’s often used in combination with medications and therapy.

How does TMS therapy help depression?

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a serious mental health condition that affects your energy, concentration, motivation, and ability to enjoy the things you once loved. For some, standard treatments don’t help.

TMS therapy is a different approach to depression treatment that directly targets the brain circuits associated with depression. Researchers are still learning how TMS works, but they theorize that it helps reactivate brain cells and assist them in making new neural connections that benefit mood. Scientists are looking at how we can use TMS to provide more personalized care, targeting the areas of your brain responsible for your mood changes. 

At NYC Psychiatric Associates, we use BrainsWay Deep TMS™ for therapy, which uses a specialized helmet to deliver magnetic stimulation to specific areas of the brain. 

What to expect

TMS therapy is an outpatient treatment we do at the office. During treatment, you remain awake. Afterward, you can resume your usual activities. You may hear a clicking sound or feel a tapping sensation on your scalp as the magnetic pulses are delivered to your brain.

We recommend you come in for treatment five days a week for about six weeks. However, we customize plans based on the severity of your symptoms and results.

You should start noticing improvements in symptoms within a few weeks. If you don’t experience benefits, we may discontinue therapy.

Most people tolerate TMS therapy well. You may have headaches or scalp discomfort after the first few treatments, but any pain is temporary and usually stops as therapy continues. We can also adjust your treatment to improve your comfort level.

Can TMS help me?

If depression continues to interfere with your life after you’ve tried multiple medications and different types of therapy, you haven’t run out of options. TMS may provide a path forward.

At NYC Psychiatric Associates in New York City, our team can evaluate your symptoms, treatment history, and overall health to determine if TMS is a good fit for you. With innovative treatments like TMS, depression care is becoming more personalized, and for some people, can open the door for significant improvement.

Are you struggling with getting relief from your depression? We can help. Call our Midtown Manhattan office today or schedule an appointment online.