Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

What Is TMS?

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a non-invasive treatment that is used for the treatment of major depression, OCD, PTSD, and many other conditions. During treatment, a coil placed over the head sends magnetic currents through the scalp and skull to activate neurons in areas of the brain that are believed to be in control of mood regulation.
Before any pulses are administered, TMS therapy requires extensive mapping of an individual’s brain to better target where the electric currents should be applied for best results.

4.5 million

4.5 million people in the Australia who have depression don’t benefit from antidepressants.

In 2008

In 2008, TMS was approved by the FDA as an alternative.

1.5 million

1.5 million TMS treatments have been delivered to 60,000 patients to date.

in 19 minutes

Treatment is delivered in 19 minutes.

Authorized by the Australia Food and Drug Administration in 2008, TMS is an outpatient treatment, administered without the need for anesthesia, that allows patients to return to normal activity directly following treatment. Side effects reported after treatment are minimal, with most patients only experiencing minor discomfort. Patients undergoing TMS are not required to participate in any additional medication regimen.

At TMS Clinic Sydney, your care is our highest priority. We are dedicated to providing you with all the necessary tools and information that will make your TMS therapy in Sydney as comfortable and effective as possible.
Our friendly staff is available to address any of your questions or concerns every step of the way. They will help you understand how TMS is used in the treatment of depression, what to expect from TMS therapy in Sydney, and support you in your mental health journey.

How Does TMS Work in The Brain to Treat Depression?


We use the NeuroStar® transcranial magnetic stimulator to direct magnetic pulses to a specific area of the brain involved in mood regulation called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (or DLPFC).
An electric current passes through a magnetic coil positioned over the head, generating a magnetic field that stimulates neurons (nerve cells) in the brain that are thought to be underactive in a person with depression.
TMS requires multiple treatment sessions over a period of 9 weeks. Over time, TMS allows neurons to change the way they communicate with each other, forming new communication pathways and new patterns of behavior.

Who Can Benefit from TMS

TMS is recommended for patients who:

Have tried various rounds of different medications and psychotherapy with no relief from their symptom.
Wish to avoid the side effects of medication (such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain).
Are planning to become pregnant.
Do not have a seizure disorder or a history of seizures.
Do not have any metal implant within the head.

How effective is TMS Treatment?

patients showed TMS to be effective for treating depression

58% of patients treated with TMS experienced significant improvement

37% of people treated with TMS found relief from their depression symptoms

2-4 times more likely to achieve remission from depression symptoms, compared to people treated with antidepressants alone.

62.5% of people treated with TMS who experienced relief continued to show improvement after 1 year

Conditions That Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Can Treat

In the Australia, TMS is only FDA-approved for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, many clinical trials have shown that TMS can safely and effectively treat other conditions, such as:

Anxiety
ADHD
Tobacco/nicotine addiction

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Addiction/substance abuse disorders

Parkinson’s disease
Alcohol addition

Learn More

Additional Resources

If you would like to learn more about TMS therapy, please visit:

TMS Brochure
The Mayo Clinic
The National Institute of Mental Health
John Hopkins Medicine
The American Psychological Association
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Myths and Facts

TMS and ECT are the same procedure.

TMS is not the same as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy, formerly called “electroshock therapy” or “shock treatment”). While both therapies are used to treat major depression, ECT is usually administered in a hospital with anesthesia, which adds to the risk and recovery time of the procedure. Most physicians recommend ECT as an emergency measure because it is invasive and can lead to serious side effects, like memory loss. TMS is an non-invasive outpatient procedure that has demonstrated few to no side effects

TMS isn’t safe

The safety and effectiveness of TMS has been supported by over 30 medical studies and multiple meta-analyses. It was approved by the FDA in October of 2008 and is widely considered a very low-risk procedure by the medical community as TMS does not require anesthesia and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.

Most patients only report minor discomfort as a side effect and can continue their life as usual directly following each procedure.

Other reported side effects of TMS treatment include:

Difficulty sleeping
Eye pain
Facial pain/toothache
Muscle twitch

In very rare cases (0.1%), patients may experience seizures after treatment. But it is important to note that no adverse cognitive effects, including memory loss, have been reported following TMS.

Patients and caregivers should be vigilant of behavioral changes during treatment — especially if they notice an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior, or depression symptoms worsen.

Overall, the side effects of TMS treatment are few and low in severity when compared to the commonly-reported side effects of antidepressant medications. TMS provides a safe and effective alternative to these treatment methods. Learn more about TMS therapy success rates.

Nothing has worked for me, so TMS won’t work either.

TMS is recommended for patients who have tried many other therapies – including multiple medications and psychotherapy – with no relief. One study demonstrated an improvement in symptoms in 58% of participants, and a 37% full remission rate in individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression who underwent TMS.

TMS isn’t covered by insurance.

Nearly all major insurance providers offer coverage for TMS. Even if we’re not in-network with your insurance plan, we can negotiate coverage as an out-of-network provider in most cases. Learn more about TMS and insurance here. You can also learn more about TMS therapy costs.

Frequently Asked Questions on TMS Treatment

What are the side effects of TMS?

There are only a few (usually minor) side effects reported by patients, and the majority of patients do not stop treatment due to them. The most common side effect reported by patients is slight pain or discomfort in the treatment area, usually only reported in the first week. Learn more about the potential side effects of TMS.

Will the treatment sessions fit into my schedule?

Our team will work with you to coordinate your schedule for TMS therapy in Sydney. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and flexible treatment schedules can be arranged. If you need to miss a treatment session, please let us know, and we will reschedule for the next available date and time that works for you.

What can I do and not do after a TMS session?

You can return to your normal daily activities immediately after each TMS session.

Can TMS be combined with other depression treatments, like my current medication?

TMS can be combined with most antidepressant medications, but Our Doctors will evaluate all of your current medications and their compatibility during your pre-treatment evaluation appointment. You’re welcome to continue any psychotherapy you’re currently undergoing, or if you’re interested, we can offer you psychotherapy and medication management.

When will I start to see results with TMS?

The time it takes to see results with TMS will vary from patient to patient. Some patients report an improvement in depression symptoms in as little as 2 weeks, while others don’t notice an improvement until week 4 or 5. Patients who take longer to notice symptom relief are still receiving effective treatment and can still experience long-lasting relief from their depression symptoms. Learn more about what can affect your time to results.

How long do TMS results last?

How long the effects of TMS last will vary from patient to patient. Studies show that patients who achieve remission from depression are more likely to continue to show signs of remission or response to treatment even one year after completing a round of treatment. In some cases, patients may need a maintenance session of TMS. Learn more about what influences how long TMS results can last.

Who will I interact with during treatment?

Throughout therapy atTMS Clinic Sydney, you will see a technician at each of your appointments, who will guide you through each treatment. Our Docotrs will check in on your progress at least weekly, and he’s available for additional check-ins anytime you’d like

Is your TMS therapy Sydney location easy to get to?

Though appointments are required several times per week during the first 6 weeks of TMS therapy in Sydney public transportation makes it easy to get here. just one block from the E and M trains and a 10-minute walk to the N, R, W, and 6 trains. The north-south bus stops right on the corner, and the cross-town bus stops only four streets up. Parking is also available around the corner. Learn more about how to get here.

Is TMS right for me?

TMS is considered when patients do not see improvement in depression symptoms after trying at least 2 types of antidepressants. TMS cannot be administered to patients who have implanted metallic devices in or around the head (such as aneurysm clips or coils and electrodes that monitor brain activity) or who have electrical implants (such as pacemakers and ICDs). Learn more about who is a good candidate for TMS.

What is rTMS?

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a painless, noninvasive treatment for depression in which coils are placed above the patient’s head to administer repetitive electromagnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. The rTMS procedure is used to create changes in the centers of the brain that control mood regulation and depression, leading to the alleviation of depression symptoms in those who undergo it.

We offer rTMS at our practice in the Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. See where we’re located and learn more about getting to our Sydney office.

We offer rTMS at our practice in the Midtown neighborhood. See where we’re located and learn more about getting to our Sydney office.

How does rTMS therapy differ from TMS?

In a clinical setting, there’s no difference. All TMS therapy programs that are available to patients for the treatment of depression are technically rTMS, even though physicians typically drop the “r” and refer to them as “TMS.”

Even though the names differ, the treatment program and benefits for patients are exactly the same.