The Brain & Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that can interfere with daily life.
Research has shown that certain parts of the brain may be under active in people with depression.
TMS for Depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, proven depression treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate these under active nerve cells in the brain.
It is recommended for people who have tried at least 2 antidepressants without a satisfactory response or for those who cannot tolerate antidepressants.
Remission²
No longer
depressed
Remission²
>50% symptom
reduction
TMS Evidence
Research shows that TMS may be an effective way of reducing depression symptoms and in some cases lead to remission of symptoms.
Real-world studies suggest nearly 3 out of 5 patients respond to TMS and 2 out of 5 patients go into remission, even after trialling multiple antidepressants.¹⁻²
TMS vs Antidepressants
TMS has been found to be more effective than antidepressants in individuals with treatment resistant depression (those who have not had a satisfactory response to at least two prior antidepressants.)¹⁻³
TMS Side Effects
TMS is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects compared to antidepressants or more invasive treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
TMS side effects are often transient and can go away after a couple sessions.
TMS Safety
TMS has been studied for decades without any significant safety concerns and the Australian New-Zealand College of Psychiatrists list TMS as a safe & well-tolerated medical procedure.⁴
There is a very rare risk of seizure (<1 in 30,000 which is less than many antidepressants.)⁵⁻⁶ Patients will always be seen by a psychiatrist prior to and throughout treatment and will never commence unless it is safe to do so.
TMS Treatment Process
TMS is typically administered in an outpatient clinic setting, patients receive treatment 3 to 5 times per week for 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment sessions last about 20 minutes.
Referral from Psychiatrist or GP
Psychiatrist safety assessment
Dosing session
Up to 30 treatment sessions, with psychiatrist reviews
Psychiatrist recommended maintenance program (TMS and/or other treatments)
