You are not alone. More than 300 million individuals worldwide suffer from depression. In fact, it is the leading cause of disability. Depression is treatable, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective form of treatment.
What is TMS?
When you are depressed, portions of your brain decrease in activity. TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the areas of your brain that control your mood and depression. This FDA-approved treatment has been shown to be safe and beneficial for patients who have not had success with antidepressant medications, or who cannot tolerate antidepressant medications due to side effects.
What to expect?
For the treatment you will be reclined in a comfortable specially designed spa-like chair. A small curved magnetic device will be gently placed against your head. The TMS machine then delivers magnetic pulses directly to the targeted areas of the brain. There are a series of treatments that last approximately 20 minutes. After your treatments, you can immediately go back to your normal activities.
Is TMS for you?
People who have tried antidepressant medications but continue to have depression symptoms that interfere with everyday life may benefit from TMS. If you have experienced side effects from depression medications or are worried about potential side effects, this treatment can be an effective alternative.
Why TMS?
- Performed in an outpatient setting
- Provides clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms
- Does not interrupt daily activities
- No anesthesia needed
- Few or no side effects (Most common side effects are a mild headache and/or scalp discomfort.)
- You are not required to stop taking medications
- Safe and well tolerated
Where to reach us
LVPG Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry-Muhlenberg
2710 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, Pa.
To request a consultation or get more information about TMS, call 610-297-7500 or email LVH_TMS@lvhn.org.