Medications and therapy alone aren’t always enough to treat depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers new hope to people struggling with depression.
TMS is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe and effective outpatient treatment for people with depression who haven’t responded to or cannot take standard medication therapy. It works by stimulating key areas of the brain without the need for anesthesia and without the side effects that can come with antidepressant medicines.
At Atrium Health, our Brain Stimulation Services team has specialized training and certification in TMS therapy and has helped patients achieve excellent results. Studies show TMS can provide lasting relief for some patients.
This simple, non-invasive therapy delivers short, repetitive magnetic pulses to stimulate and “reset” specific areas of the brain that help control your mood.
During treatment, an electromagnetic coil is positioned over a specific spot on your head, usually near your forehead. The pulses only reach the outer layers of the brain, but lead to effects deep in the brain that can control mood.
TMS has a number of benefits. For example, it is:
Think of TMS as another tool in the toolbox for treating depression. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies, and our team will coordinate with your mental health provider to ensure you receive the best possible care.
As with most treatments, you may need to give the therapy some time to work. Your care team will keep close tabs on your progress, and is specially trained to adjust the device as needed.
You may benefit from TMS if:
Certain people should not receive TMS therapy, including anyone with:
For more information, please call 704-512-7578.
Patients can be seen at the following locations; however, TMS is only offered at the Charlotte location. A mental health provider needs to make a referral for this service.
Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Charlotte
501 Billingsley Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
704-444-2400
Carolinas HealthCare System-Davidson
16740 Davidson-Concord Rd. (Hwy 73)
Davidson, NC 28036
704-801-9200