For many people, the decision to pursue a new mental health treatment comes with a lot of questions — especially when that treatment involves a medical device rather than a prescription. If you have been hearing more about TMS and want a clear, straightforward explanation of how the procedure actually works, you are in the right place. Understanding the TMS procedure can take a lot of the uncertainty out of the process and help you move forward with confidence. At Precise Mind, with offices in Flowood, Vicksburg, and Ridgeland, our team is here to walk you through every aspect of care before, during, and after treatment.
TMS works by delivering repeated magnetic pulses to the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain most closely associated with mood, motivation, and emotional regulation. In people living with depression, this area tends to be underactive. The magnetic pulses generated by the device — similar in strength to those used in MRI technology, though not the same — stimulate neurons in this region and encourage them to fire more consistently over time.
The device is positioned against the scalp using a coil placed based on precise measurements taken during your initial evaluation. This mapping process ensures accurate, consistent delivery of stimulation from one TMS session to the next. Throughout each TMS session, a rhythmic tapping sensation on the scalp accompanies the delivery of each magnetic pulse, along with an audible clicking from the device. This sensation is well-tolerated by most patients, though some mild discomfort is possible in the first few sessions.
Each TMS session runs about 20 minutes. Treatment is scheduled five days per week over the course of seven weeks, for a structured course that requires consistency to be most effective. There is no sedation involved at any point, and no preparation is needed before appointments. You can drive yourself to and from the office, and there are no restrictions on activity following each session.
Results from TMS do not typically appear immediately. Most patients begin to notice meaningful changes between weeks four and six of treatment.
TMS is particularly well-suited for adults who have tried antidepressant medications without finding adequate relief. It is FDA-cleared for patients with MDD, anxious depression, and OCD. During your initial appointment, our providers will review your mental health history and current treatment plan to determine whether the TMS procedure is the right fit for you. Because TMS is an adjunct treatment for OCD, patients should continue with other therapies they are currently using.
If you have questions about the TMS procedure that this page has not answered, our team at Precise Mind is glad to sit down with you and work through them. Schedule an appointment today and let us help you with understanding the TMS procedure and figure out whether TMS therapy is the right next step in your mental health care.