Mental Illness is a Disorder and Not a Decision

No different than a medical illness, mental illness requires treatment. Unlike psychiatric medications, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy does not cause undesired systemic side effects. While medications may be necessary for some people, they often stop working and cause many undesired and intolerable side effects.

TMS therapy may be the best treatment option for: 1) those who have not received benefit from medications, 2) those whose medications have stopped working, 3) those who can not tolerate the side effects of medications, 4) those who do not wish to take medications, 5) those who’ve tried two or more antidepressant medications.

If you’ve tried two or more antidepressant medications for depression, then research shows that continued use of medications are likely not going to be effective. The Star*D Trial was done to evaluate the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. This study proved that the rate of efficacy with each new medication trial drops significantly. So if you’ve tried more than two antidepressants it is important that you evaluate other treatment options, as continued trials of antidepressants will more than likely prove to be ineffective. TMS therapy is one treatment option that is covered by insurance for major depressive disorder for patients who have tried two or more antidepressants, have engaged in some type of evidenced-based psychotherapy, and who do not have any contraindications to treatment.

TMS is also FDA-approved for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and may be covered by your insurance. It is worth contacting a TMS therapy provider in your area to find out if TMS therapy is right you and to see if your insurance covers treatment for your condition. If you seek TMS treatment for a condition that is not covered by your insurance, most TMS clinicians (providers) offer affordable treatment plan options so that you can receive treatment and live a much improved quality of life.