Medically Reviewed by Dr. David Woo, MD – Written by Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry Staff – Updated on September 21, 2020.

TMS is a Non-Medication Treatment for Depression

If you’re searching for a treatment for depression that does not require antidepressant medications, consider transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS). TMS is a 100% drug-free method of treating the symptoms of depression, where treatment is delivered via safe magnetic pulses to the brain during brief 19-minute sessions over a period of 9 weeks.

TMS has been FDA-approved for the treatment of major depression since 2008, and is covered by almost all major insurance providers in New York. Learn more about TMS therapy costs.

TMS is Proven Effective

TMS has been proven effective in over 30 clinical trials with 2,000 patients. People treated with TMS were 2-4 times more likely to achieve remission from depression symptoms, compared to people treated with antidepressants alone1.

62.5% of people treated with TMS who experienced relief continued to show improvement after one year2. See more studies on TMS, and learn more about TMS therapy success rates here.

How Does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Work?

During treatment, a coil placed over the head sends magnetic currents through the scalp and skull to activate neurons in areas of the brain that are believed to be in control of mood regulation.

TMS is an outpatient treatment, meaning that the patient can leave immediately after treatment, and there is no need for anesthesia. Patients can return to normal activity directly following treatment.

Side effects reported after treatment are minimal, with most patients only experiencing minor discomfort.

Am I A Candidate for TMS?

TMS is safe for most people, and is ideal for people who prefer not to take medication for depression. It is safe for pregnant women. Take our quiz to find out whether you’re a candidate for TMS.

TMS is not safe for people with a seizure disorder or history of seizures, nor for people with any type of metal implant within the head.

Benefits of TMS for Patients Seeking a Non-Pharmacological Depression Treatment

Patients who undergo TMS are not required to take any medications during or after their course of treatment. TMS can be performed on its own, or in conjunction with other depression therapies, including talk therapy or other natural antidepressant treatments (like exercise, vitamins, or solar lamp therapy).

Learn More About TMS

Read more about TMS therapy on our website, or contact us online to ask a question.

Resources:
  1. George MS et al. Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Link. 2010;67(5):507-16.
  2. Dunner DL et al. A multisite, naturalistic, observational study of transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients with pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder: durability of benefit over a 1-year follow-up period. J Clin Psychiatry. Link . 2014;75(12):1394-401.