Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

If you’re depressed or anxious and haven’t had success with traditional treatments, consider transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at Maryville Psychiatry in Maryville, Tennessee. Experienced psychiatrist Justin Lapollo, DO, offers this noninvasive service to improve your mood, enhance your quality of life, and help you flourish. Schedule a TMS evaluation by email or request one online today. 

What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?

TMS is a noninvasive, drug-free treatment that helps reduce symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or depression — even if other treatments haven’t worked. 

TMS involves using electromagnetic pulses to stimulate parts of your brain that are under or overactive. Because TMS is FDA-approved, it’s covered by many insurance companies. 

What are the benefits of TMS?

The perks associated with TMS include:

• Reduced depression and anxiety
• Fewer OCD symptoms
• Improved mood control
• No pain
• Drug-free treatment
• Highly effective results

TMS is safe and well-tolerated, with few or no side effects reported. 

Am I a candidate for TMS?

The Maryville Psychiatry team determines if TMS is right for you after discussing your medical history, medications, past treatments, lifestyle, treatment preferences, and symptoms. They also complete a psychiatric evaluation to assess your emotions, mood, thoughts, and behaviors.

Symptoms of mental health conditions treatable with TMS include:

• Constant sadness, fear, worry, or anxiousness
• Obsessions 
• Compulsions 
• Loss of interest in favorite things
• Problems sleeping
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of suicide
• Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
• Substance misuse 

The Maryville Psychiatry team tailors a treatment plan that matches your diagnosis and goals. 

What should I expect during TMS?

During TMS treatment at Maryville Psychiatry, your provider places coils in your scalp to emit electromagnetic pulses that target specific regions of your brain. You remain awake in a comfortable chair and may feel tapping sensations or hear clicking sounds.

You might undergo TMS sessions for 20 minutes daily, once a day, for 36 treatments. TMS is well-tolerated without significant or long-lasting side effects. 

Maryville Psychiatry also offers Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT) protocol TMS sessions that are more compact, where you complete 10 treatment sessions daily for five days. 

The practice provides counseling, medication management, ketamine infusion therapy, lifestyle counseling, tirzepatide injections, and combinations of mental health treatments as needed. 

What happens after TMS treatment?

After undergoing TMS treatment, you can resume typical daily activities since there’s no downtime. You might have temporary fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness, tingling, or scalp discomfort that typically lasts just a few minutes. Your provider determines when to schedule your next treatment. 

Request a TMS evaluation at Maryville Psychiatry by emailing the office or using the online booking feature today.