Practising Privileges

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (or rTMS for short) is a treatment for depression, OCD, addictions and other mental health conditions. The rTMS machine emits high frequency magnetic pulses to the area of the brain known to cause the condition. The treatment stimulates the brain and causes ‘neuroplasticity’ – which is the brain’s ability to mend and build connections between the nerve cells. In the case of depression, for example, the left side of the prefrontal cortex is stimulated, restoring the connections to help it work as it should, without the symptoms of depression.

Although similar, rTMS is more commonly used. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, which is the NICE approved treatment offered by Smart TMS, uses a magnet referred to by professionals as a ‘figure of eight coil’. This coil emits repetitive magnetic pulses to the specific area of the brain known to cause the condition being treated. In comparison, deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or dTMS, uses a ‘H-coil’, which looks like a helmet. The magnetic pulses are emitted on a much larger area of the brain as it’s much less focused than rTMS.

rTMS is a private treatment and costs vary depending on the condition being treated. An average course of treatment for depression with Smart TMS costs £3,000 and you are likely to need two courses in total.

As research progresses, it becomes clear that with regular maintenance sessions (one per month) the benefits of rTMS treatment are on-going. Life can have its ups and downs, but once we know that rTMS treatment works for you, we can offer “top up” sessions whenever you feel you need a boost.

There is no research to suggest that rTMS can cause memory loss. rTMS is often compared to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), which does cause memory loss, however rTMS is non-invasive and only targets a small area of the brain, as opposed to inducing seizures like ECT does.

Yes – rTMS is effective in the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder. At Smart TMS, we know that depression and anxiety often go hand in hand, so we offer all patients the opportunity to be treated for both at the same time. Other providers can charge separately for courses of depression and anxiety treatment, but we include them in the same treatment session, saving you (in some cases) thousands of pounds.

“Success” is hard to quantify when talking about mental health. The remission rate of patients suffering with depression at Smart TMS is 49%. This means 49% of patients are no longer clinically depressed following rTMS treatment. Our research shows that 56% patients also see a significant change in their mood, even if they don’t officially reach the point of remission, which helps them lead a happy and fulfilling life with fewer symptoms than before.