Depression can feel like a maze with no clear exit. While many patients benefit from antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, up to 30% experience few or no benefits from them.
Thankfully, new treatments offer hope for those who haven’t found relief from depression through medication or therapy alone. One of the most promising is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive, drug-free procedure that targets the brain directly.
At Labyrinth Psychiatry Group’s Edison and Cranford, New Jersey, offices, we use TMS therapy to help patients there and in surrounding areas regain control of their mood, energy, and outlook when traditional treatments fall short.
TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses. These stimulate specific areas of the brain concerned with mood regulation, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is often less active in people with depression.
Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which uses electrical currents and may require anesthesia, TMS delivers focused magnetic pulses through a coil placed on your scalp. You undergo treatment while you’re awake and alert, with no sedation or recovery time required.
TMS has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who haven’t responded adequately to antidepressant medications.
In recent years, researchers have also explored its use for anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even chronic pain.
To understand how TMS works, it helps to picture the brain as a network of electrical circuits. In depression, the communication between certain brain regions weakens, leading to low mood, lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating.
During TMS therapy, magnetic pulses activate neurons in underactive brain regions. This stimulation helps reset the brain’s electrical activity, promoting better connectivity and more balanced mood regulation. Over time, repeated sessions strengthen these neural pathways, similar to the ways in which physical therapy strengthens muscles after an injury.
Within two to three weeks, many patients begin to notice subtle improvements, such as better sleep, greater energy, and a renewed sense of interest in daily activities.
A typical TMS session lasts about 20-40 minutes. You’ll sit comfortably in a treatment chair while we position a small magnetic coil against your scalp, usually near your forehead. When the session begins, you’ll hear clicking sounds and be aware of a light tapping sensation on your head.
There’s no need for anesthesia or recovery time. You can return to work, drive, or continue your regular routine immediately afterward. Side effects are generally minimal and temporary — for example, slight scalp tenderness or a mild headache that fades within hours.
Some people describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable at first, but the sensation usually becomes more tolerable as they adjust.
Most patients complete five sessions per week for four to six weeks, though the exact schedule may vary depending on your treatment plan.
TMS is designed primarily for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, meaning they haven’t achieved satisfactory results from at least two antidepressant medications. It can be a good option for patients who:
TMS is also being studied for other mental health conditions. Some patients with OCD, bipolar disorder, or PTSD have reported improvement in symptoms when treated with TMS protocols tailored to their specific diagnosis.
The Labyrinth Psychiatry Group team conducts thorough evaluations to determine whether TMS is right for you.
TMS therapy has a strong safety profile. It doesn’t require anesthesia or cause memory loss, and it doesn’t interfere with your daily medications.
Clinical studies show that approximately 75% of patients who haven’t responded to antidepressants experience significant improvement with TMS, and about 52% achieve remission.
Because TMS doesn’t involve systemic medication, it’s especially appealing for individuals who experience side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction from antidepressants.
Long-term results are also promising. Many patients maintain their improvements for months or even years, while some choose occasional booster sessions if symptoms return.
Depression can make you feel trapped in a cycle of hopelessness. We’re dedicated to helping patients navigate complex mental health problems with compassion, expertise, and advanced treatments like TMS.
If you or a loved one struggles with depression that isn't improving with medication or therapy, TMS may be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for. Contact Labyrinth Psychiatry Group by phone or online to discover whether TMS therapy could help you find your way out of the depression maze.
