TMS Specialist
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Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health
Psychiatrists located in Newport Beach, CA
Up to one-third of people who have depression don’t respond to traditional treatments. At Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California, board-certified psychiatrist Hadi Estakhri, MD, offers innovative transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatments as an alternative. Call Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health or schedule a consultation online today to find out if TMS treatments can reduce your depression symptoms.
TMS Q&A
What is TMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an innovative treatment that uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate neurotransmitter activity in the regions of your brain that regulate your mood. In studies, TMS provides a clinically meaningful result for up to 60% of patients who haven’t found relief through first-line treatments like antidepressant medication.
Most patients begin with a series of treatments. You receive TMS therapy five days a week for 4-6 weeks. Then depending on your needs, you continue to have TMS treatments, but much less frequently.
What happens during a TMS treatment?
When you have a TMS treatment, you sit in a comfortable chair and Dr. Estakhri positions an arm with metal coils against the side of your head. At your first appointment, he measures distances and angles on your head to locate the precise placement for the coils. Your information is stored in the TMS machine so it can automatically calibrate for your subsequent appointments.
Your treatment can take 20-50 minutes. You might hear or feel a tapping sensation, but it isn’t painful. Many patients notice an improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment, but you should continue to have your treatments to reach and maintain remission.
What are the benefits of TMS treatments?
TMS is a viable alternative treatment for depression if medication and therapy haven’t worked for you. It doesn’t require any anesthesia, and you can drive yourself to and from your appointments. You don’t even need to take time off from work or school. TMS usually provides more rapid relief than antidepressant medicines and it doesn’t cause intolerable side effects.
Am I a good candidate for TMS treatments?
Dr. Estakhri provides comprehensive consultations before prescribing TMS treatments. You should be in good health, aside from your depression symptoms. If you have any metal plates in your head or pacemakers, TMS therapy isn’t right for you. Additionally, if you have a history of seizures, Dr. Estakhri can recommend different therapies.
Call Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health or make an appointment online today to learn more about TMS treatments and how they can help reduce your depression.
