Wellness
TMS Is a Non-Medication, FDA Approved Way Of Treating Depression, Consistent with Holistic Ideals
Not a Medication
For those opposed to the idea of medications, TMS is not a medicine. It does not affect you systemically, it targets a small area of the brain with magnetic energy.
Some Antidepressant side-effects:
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Sometimes weight gain
- Sexual disfunction (loss of libido, difficulty having orgasms and erectile dysfunction).
- Emotional flatness
- If you decide you want to stop medications, you have to taper off. With TMS you can stop immediately.
- Rare (1/1000) chance of causing a seizure with BOTH antidepressants or TMS. Importantly though, seizures caused by antidepressants may occur anywhere, even while driving, whereas if TMS causes one, it will only occur during the treatment, and the doctor is in the office.
Both medications and TMS take a few weeks to work. It is almost the same time frame to see results from depression.
TMS Therapy
TMS is a non-drug treatment option for treating Major Depression. TMS may be an option for you when medications do not provide adequate response or produce unwanted side effects.
Perhaps, you want to take a more holistic approach. If this is the case, TMS may be the best and most effective option for you.
Pros of TMS Therapy:
- Non-invasive
- No systemic side effects
- Covered by Insurance
- Fits into your daily routine
- TMS is effective
- Non-addictive
- No memory issues
Many women have concerns about taking antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. TMS’s safety and effectiveness make it an ideal option for them.
Click here to learn more about TMS Therapy and Women’s health.
Insurance Coverage
Some insurances seem to be relaxing their criteria for how many medication failures are required before they approve TMS. At SEPA TMS we have seen some patients now starting to get approvals even if they have never taken mediations previously. We are thrilled to see this progress. Insurance companies are now becoming more aware of the massive benefits TMS provides for patients all over the world.
How the insurance process looks at SEPATMS:
- Step 1. A call is made by the patient to SEPA TMS or a request is put in through our website.
- Step 2. Information is given to our TMS coordinator, who then makes contact with the patient inquiring about TMS.
- Step 3. The TMS coordinator will provide information on forms that need to be completed online and obtain release of information forms so information can be obtained from other providers.
- Step 4. Once all relevant information is received, the patient will be scheduled for a consultation with one of our doctors to evaluate if TMS is an appropriate treatment.
- Step 5. Prior to starting TMS, the patient’s insurance will be checked for benefits, such as co-pay, deductible, etc. An insurance form will be filled out that the patient will sign when they come in for their initial mapping (measurements) appointment.
- Step 6. If the patient’s insurance does not require a prior authorization, then our coordinator, the treating doctor, and the patient, will schedule a time for the initial mapping. After the mapping, the patient will receive their first TMS treatment.
TMS is administered in a comfortable chair, you are awake, and the procedure is done on the outside of your head. TMS is extremely safe. Patients are able to come in for treatment and immediately resume normal activities, like work or school.