About TMS Therapy for Depression

TMS therapy for depression, TMS for depression, tms therapy reviews, Manlove Health Psychiatry Clinic Depression Specialists

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for people with depression who have not seen satisfactory improvement from antidepressant medications. Manlove Brain + Body Health (MB+BH) is the first clinic in western South Dakota to offer this novel, effective, and non-invasive treatment.

TMS treatments are completed in an outpatient procedure that does not require sedation or anesthesia. Using pulsed magnetic fields, TMS therapy treats depression by stimulating the part of the brain involved in mood regulation.

During a TMS session, patients are seated in a comfortable chair, and a TMS technician gently rests a plastic coil on their head. Once activated, the TMS machine will send magnetic pulses (like an MRI machine) 2-3 centimeters into the brain. The magnetic pulses are precisely targeted to only affect the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.

After receiving TMS treatments, patients may immediately resume their usual activities, including driving.

Who is a good candidate for TMS treatment?

If you have tried four antidepressant medications and have not felt an improvement in your depression symptoms, TMS treatment is an excellent option to consider. TMS treatment works differently than common antidepressants to break through treatment-resistant depression and provides long-term relief for many patients.

TMS is safe to use during pregnancy, and is now FDA-approved for adolescents ages 15 and older.

You could be feeling better in as little as 6 weeks. 

70% of our patients have an excellent response.

40% go into complete remission, compared to less than 7% on the 4th medication.

TMS Side Effects

Many patients prefer TMS treatment for depression because side effects are minimal and short-lived, and the results are life-long. The most commonly reported side effects include headaches and scalp discomfort, which begin to dissipate as soon as the TMS machine is turned off. Learn more about TMS: How it Works, What to Expect, Side Effects, & More.

TMS Therapy Cost

Most health insurance plans cover TMS therapy costs because it is the safest and one of the most effective treatments for depression. However, coverage will depend on your individual health insurance plan. View our list of accepted insurances and call your insurance company to confirm your outpatient mental health coverage for your condition.

TMS Therapy Reviews

Hear from a few of our patients about their experience with TMS treatment for depression.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Rapid City

Click the button below to complete a secure appointment request form and get started with one of our TMS doctors. We will work with you to get a thorough understanding of your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and more to determine if TMS is right for you.

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I have been dealing with depression since high school. One day, something “clicked” in my brain, and I stopped being the confident, happy person I normally was. I had to deal with extra tiredness, anxiety, and a depressed mood. I lost my passion for life at a critical time when I should have been out developing my life skills.

However, since I was not severely depressed, I was able to put on my acting face each day and try my best to conquer the obstacles of life. I always blamed the circumstances or difficult people for my distress and anxiety. I always thought my next stage in life would make me happy, but it never did. I tried medications, and they helped me out for a number of years.

Once I retired, the depression (although treated with medication) seemed to get worse, and I became more withdrawn socially. I read about TMS treatment done on a patient in the Rapid City Journal with Dr. Manlove. Rather than get on higher doses of medication, I thought I should give it a try. It seemed like a strange therapy, and I didn’t think it was going to work on me. However, after about 4 weeks, something “clicked” in my brain. It was in the fall of the year, and all of a sudden, the leaves on the trees appeared more brilliant and beautiful, and I started becoming more social.

I am now working part-time, following my passions in life. I take each day as it comes. I now enjoy interacting with different people, and I am more patient. I still have my share of rough patches in life, but I feel more resilient. I do get down occasionally, but so far, I have been able to find my happiness again.

If you don’t want to take a lot of medication or if medication does not work for you, you should try TMS therapy for depression.

-RL, Manlove Brain and Body Health patient

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications, or who have tried antidepressant medications without feeling relief from their symptoms?

Yes. Since TMS is not a medication it does not circulate in the bloodstream and cause unwanted side effects such as weight gain, dry mouth, or nausea. TMS has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of patients with depression who have not had satisfactory improvement with antidepressant medications.

Who else should consider TMS?

TMS addresses all kinds of depression (both treatment resistant and non-treatment resistant) and is a good option in special situations such as

  • People who have failed several antidepressants
  • During pregnancy, when medications can’t be taken because they might harm the developing fetus
  • Older adults who can’t tolerate drug side effects
  • People with complicated medication regimes who want to avoid drug interactions
  • Anyone who prefers not to take medications
  • When TMS has been successful in the past

Does TMS therapy have any side effects?

The most commonly reported side effects during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort. These potential side effects were typically mild to moderate, and were less common after the first week of treatment. During clinical trials, less than 5% of patients treated with TMS discontinued treatment due to side effects. If necessary, headaches from TMS can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. If the side effects persist, the strength of the TMS pulses can be temporarily reduced to ensure the comfort of the patient.

What are the potential risks of TMS therapy?

In clinical practices there have been rare reports of seizures. These instances of seizures were associated with the use of Wellbutrin or alcohol. To help mitigate this risk, patients are asked to stop the use of Wellbutrin before beginning TMS and to abstain from alcohol during the course of their TMS treatment. Rarely, patients may develop manic symptoms during TMS.

Is TMS similar to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

No. While both procedures are effective in treating depression, TMS is very different from ECT. During TMS therapy, the patient is awake and alert throughout the entire treatment. No sedation is necessary with TMS treatment, and patients are able to safely transport themselves to and from therapy. Patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately after TMS treatments. There were no negative impacts on memory or concentration reported with TMS therapy.

Is TMS therapy right for me?

While TMS therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression, not all patients will benefit from it. Patients should be carefully monitored during the course of their treatment for worsening symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or unusual behaviors. Families and caregivers should be involved in monitoring the TMS patient, and be able to notify the patient’s treatment provider of any sudden changes in mood or behavior. Patients should discuss with their doctor the potential risks and benefits of TMS therapy, and make the best treatment decision for them.

Is TMS covered by insurance?

TMS is covered by most health insurance plans after the patient has failed at least 4 antidepressant medications.

How Does TMS work?
TMS is an outpatient procedure. The TMS technician sets a plastic coil on the patient’s head,  which sends magnetic pulses through the skull and 2-3 centimeters into the brain. The magnetic pulses stimulate specific parts of the brain with accuracy, ensuring only the tissue involved in mood regulation is targeted. The magnetic pulses used by TMS are noticeable but are well tolerated, and are similar to the ones used by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.
When administered to the brain, these magnetic impulses produce a miniscule electrical current in the axon of neurons in the brain. The electrical currents cause the neurons in the brain to become active and lead to an increased release of neurotransmitters. Improved neurotransmission decreases depression.

How long is a TMS treatment series?
The typical course of treatment consists of 5 treatments per week over a 6 week period (30 treatments total), followed by 1 maintenance treatment per week for the next 6 weeks. Appointments are usually 20-30 minutes in duration; most patients feel completely fine after appointments, and return to work or normal daily life.

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