What to Expect at Your First TMS Session

Maybe treatments like antidepressants haven’t worked for you. Maybe you’re looking for a medication-free way to feel like a better version of yourself. You could be seeking relief from the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In any of these cases, TMS might help. 

TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, uses magnetic energy in the brain to change how it works. It’s particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression, although Alejandra Suzuki, MD, FAPA, might recommend it in cases beyond that. Here at Americas TMS Center, she helps people who might benefit from TMS understand how it works.

That includes the brass tacks of getting treatment. If we’ve recommended TMS or you’re just curious about this treatment option, knowing what happens during each appointment helps. 

What happens during your first appointment

Before we get started, you remove anything metal on or near your head. You’ll take off glasses and jewelry, for example. 

Once you’re ready, we have you get settled in the treatment chair. Then you put on a cap that shows us where to place the TMS device coils. Those coils allow us to direct magnetic energy into the parts of the brain that we want to target. Your treatment provider uses the cap to align those coils. 

Some people choose to put in earplugs at this point. TMS treatment makes a fairly loud clicking/tapping noise that some folks find bothersome. 

Next, your provider initiates a few pulses using the TMS device. They adjust the settings to calibrate your treatment. Once everything is set and you’re ready, we start treatment. It usually takes about 20 minutes. 

During TMS treatment, you might feel a tapping sensation on your scalp or experience tingling sensations as nearby nerves respond. Some people experience scalp discomfort or headaches at first, but side effects typically diminish after the first few treatments. 

You can go straight back to your day after we conclude treatment. You’re safe to drive and can head to work, school, or any other activity immediately afterward. 

Continuing TMS treatment to drive results

To get results from TMS, you need a series of treatments. If we’re trying to address treatment-resistant depression, for example, Dr. Suzuki usually recommends treatment five days a week for about six weeks. Then, she can offer periodic sessions as needed to maintain your results

Dr. Suzuki lets you know what to expect concerning the duration of each TMS session and the frequency with which you should get them. She personalizes the treatment plan for you, and we can adjust as needed. If you’re experiencing uncomfortable scalp sensations during treatment, for example, she can adjust the level of stimulation. 

To get additional details about what your first TMS session would entail, book some time with our team. Call our office or schedule an appointment online today.