TMS Therapy in San Francisco

Overview

Treated
Conditions

FAQ

Locations

TMS Therapy Overview

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment for individuals with treatment-refractory depression and other mood and anxiety disorders. This treatment is a non-systemic form of neuromodulation which uses highly focused magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in the prefrontal cortex, in order to treat the source of your depression.

Treated Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Auditory Hallucinations
Chronic Pain
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Fibromyalgia
Tinnitus

Get Started with TMS therapy

To begin, call 833-272-4111 to complete screening and schedule a 60 minute consultation.
You will then meet with one of our psychiatrists for evaluation of mental health symptoms, co-occurring medical conditions, and discussion of treatment options.
Finally, you will schedule your treatment sessions with us.

TMS Therapy FAQ

How is TMS delivered?

During treatment, patients remain awake and alert. These treatments typically last about 20 minutes.

Treatments are Monday through Friday, five times per week for six weeks. The treatment series is often followed by a three-week taper period of fewer treatments per week. Therefore, patients generally complete about 36 treatments over the nine-week period.

How does TMS work?

The magnetic coil used in TMS stimulates nerve cells in the area of the brain responsible for mood regulation, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Specifically, this will trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. As the stimulation is repeated, this neuronal activity will eventually become self-sustained.

This process, called “neuroplasticity,” involves actual changes within the brain, which allow the benefits of TMS to persist after treatment ends. Thus, with increased activation in this area of the brain patients’ symptoms diminish and patients may achieve remission of their depression.

Is TMS therapy an effective treatment?

Our clinical team administers weekly assessments to measure each patient’s progress during and after treatment.

It is important to realize that the majority of our patients come to us with “treatment refractory depression” meaning they had previously received minimal or no relief from 4 or more antidepressants. Notably, over 80% of our patients have a response to TMS therapy.

Is TMS safe?

TMS therapy is well tolerated and has been proven to be safe in clinical trials. Notably, over 1 million TMS treatments have been performed in the US, with low complications and side-effects. The most commonly reported side effect related to treatment is mild to moderate scalp discomfort during treatment sessions which can typically be managed with over the counter pain medicine.

Since TMS therapy produces a clicking sound, earplugs are provided for each treatment.

There is a small risk of a seizure occurring during treatment – estimated at 1 in 10,000 – which is no greater than from most antidepressant medications. Before your treatment, your doctor will discuss other much rarer side effects with you, as well as any medical issues that may need to be monitored during your treatment course.

Our clinics have performed over 25,000 treatments, with excellent success and very few side effect issues. Therefore, Bay Psychiatric Associates’ expertise in this newer form of treatment is one reason that many people have sought care at our clinics.