Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

About 30% of the 15 million Americans with major depressive disorder (MDD) are not responding adequately to their current antidepressants. This is known as Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). When patients fail 2 trials of standard antidepressant therapy, the chances of remission with the third antidepressant are less than 15% and less than 5% with the fourth.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS is an alternative to antidepressant therapy for patients with TRD. With TMS, a magnetic field induces small electrical currents in specific regions of the brain thought to be deficient in depression. Repeated electrical stimulation enhances or improves neuronal connections in those regions, alleviating symptoms of depression.

TMS can also be used to inhibit or decrease neuronal connections in areas of the brain not associated with depression. This has expanded the use of TMS for OCD, PTSD, Anxiety, Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain.

The main advantages of TMS include the chance to be free from taking daily doses of oral antidepressants, the lack of medication side effects, and the ability to stay well for long periods of time (2-5 years or longer) before needing a repeat course or TMS.

Unlike Spravato® or Ketamine treatments, patients can drive to and from their TMS treatments. Typically, treatments take less than an hour, five days a week, for 4-6 weeks. There’s no down time with TMS and patients can read, watch TV or browse their phones during treatment.

Avance Psychiatry has a TMS team directed by a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in TMS treatment and can help you decide if TMS is right for you.

Your mental health and well-being are our top priority.

Avance Psychiatry practices are located in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte North Carolina with virtual care options available. TMS treatment is available only at the Chapel Hill location.

We accept most major insurance plans and self-pay patients.