Side effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation: mild headaches (most common), lightheadedness, scalp pain, neck pain, tingling, facial twitching, drowsiness, impaired cognition during treatment. Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting approximately 9.5% of the population. Women are twice as likely to develop depression as men, however, this condition certainly affects both sexes. Today, the most common treatment for depression is a combination of medication and therapy; however, not everyone with depression finds relief with this traditional approach.
People who try the usual treatments for depression and who don't yet experience many changes are known to have treatment-resistant depression, or DRD.
EMT therapy
has been shown to help successfully treat people with TRD, and despite the common misconception, EMT therapy has no long-term side effects. As mentioned above, EMT therapy is highly effective and has been shown to be. However, this does not mean that patients cannot experience any side effects of this treatment.The most common side effects that affect patients include mild headaches or tingling of the scalp or jaw. These effects disappear quickly and usually do not impair the patient's ability to carry out his daily tasks. According to several clinical studies, no long-term side effects have been reported from EMT treatment. People with treatment-resistant depression can safely receive EMT therapy without worrying that there will be long-term impacts of this specific form of treatment.
Despite this information, many people still find it hard to believe that there are no long-term side effects of EMT therapy. To put this in a better context, it is helpful to understand the level of magnetic exposure that occurs during this process. Patients only experience a very small amount of magnetic exposure during each EMT session. Patients who receive an MRI have more magnetic exposure than those who receive EMT treatment.
In fact, even participating in a handful of EMT therapy sessions would amount to the same magnetic exposure you would receive during a few MRI sessions. The most common side effect of EMT therapy is scalp irritation or discomfort. It is reported in approximately 5% of patients and usually disappears after a few sessions. The other side effects of TMS are seizures, which are very rare.
The place of application of the magnets on the forehead can be slightly adjusted to avoid these possible side effects in the future, but still provide a positive impact on the symptoms of depression. Other side effects include lightheadedness and possible hearing loss. Since the machine that produces the stimulation treatment may be noisy, earplugs or other suitable hearing protection are provided during the treatment. If you have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, treatment may trigger a manic episode, although this is very rare and unlikely.
The risk of TMS-induced seizures in normal clinical use with the figure-eight coil is estimated to be 1 in 30,000 treatments (0.003%). EMT is a complementary treatment that works together with medication and is non-invasive (does not require surgery). Upshaw's holistic experience in the field has made him Florida's foremost advocate for widespread accessibility to TMS therapy. EMT is used for depression that does not respond to antidepressants, but is not limited to treatment-resistant depression.
You may be wondering if prolonged exposure to tms treatment will cause any negative effects in the future. Traditional therapies absolutely work, but there are much more side effects associated with the use of prescription drugs than with EMT therapy. Usually, doctors recommend 30 sessions of EMT therapy, usually five times a week for four to six weeks. There are contraindications to EMT therapy, such as the presence of sensitive ferromagnetic or magnetic metal objects implanted in the areas of the head or neck near the magnetic fields of the EMT coil (e.g.
In clinical practice, TMS does not increase the risk of migraine in healthy participants or those with a history of migraine. However, if you have a history of seizures, TMS may not be the best treatment for you and you need to see your doctor or team. Animal studies, as well as studies of anterior temporal lobes subsequently resected in humans undergoing direct cortical stimulation or EMT, have not demonstrated evidence of histotoxicity (brain damage). Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a treatment for people with severe depression whose illness has not been relieved by at least one antidepressant medication.
Just keep in mind that different insurance policies have certain criteria with respect to previous medication attempts, which determines TMS coverage. That said, every patient undergoing EMT therapy should undergo a full evaluation by an EMT psychiatrist for current medical problems and medications that could alter the risk of seizures. . .
