TMS Therapy for
Anxiety

Are you looking for alternative treatments for anxiety that do not require medication and invasive procedures? You’re in the right place. At TMS Therapy Near Me, we recognize the importance of connecting individuals with the best healthcare professionals to address their mental health concerns. Our comprehensive directory of TMS practitioners is designed to help you find trusted doctors specializing in innovative anxiety treatments, ensuring that you receive the care you deserve.

TMS Therapy
for Anxiety

Table Of Contents

What Is TMS Therapy?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain that are involved in mood regulation and anxiety control. During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the patient’s scalp near the forehead to deliver repetitive pulses, activating or inhibiting local neural circuits without pain.

The FDA has cleared various types of TMS devices to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tobacco use disorder (TUD), and depressive anxiety. TMS systems differ in the waveform used, coil design, treatment time, and features that make them more user-friendly. Here is a comparison of different devices.

Types of TMS Therapy for Anxiety

rTMS is the leading form of non-invasive brain stimulation. During rTMS therapy for anxiety, the coil is placed against the scalp near the prefrontal cortex. Short electromagnetic pulses are delivered repetitively to stimulate nerve cells and modulate activity in brain regions that regulate mood. Multiple sessions are typically needed to achieve therapeutic effects. Research and clinical practice show that rTMS treatment may help reduce anxiety symptoms, especially in patients with treatment-resistant disorders.

Effective protocol: 1 Hz pulses for 30 minutes with 110% of the motor threshold; the treatment course includes daily visits (Monday to Friday) over one month.

Deep TMS is an advanced form of stimulation that allows magnetic pulses to penetrate further into brain structures. It uses an H-coil configuration to reach the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, which are implicated in anxiety disorders. During dTMS treatment sessions, the coil is placed over the head to deliver electromagnetic pulses targeting deeper cortical and subcortical regions. This technique is effective in reducing anxiety, particularly symptoms like nervousness, worry, avoidance behaviors, and panic attacks. BrainsWay’s H-1 coil has been FDA-approved to treat anxious depression (when anxiety disorder is accompanied by major depressive disorder).

Standard protocol: 20-minute treatments, 30-36 sessions over 6-9 weeks.

Theta burst stimulation is a patterned form of repetitive TMS using ultra-rapid bursts of low-intensity magnetic pulses. There are two main types of TBS:

For generalized anxiety disorder, iTBS targets the prefrontal cortex and aims to enhance the regulation of limbic regions involved in fear and worry. TBS protocols are being actively explored for accelerated treatment of anxiety disorders.

Consultation & Preparation
for TMS Therapy for Anxiety

Preparation for TMS treatment for anxiety begins with a thorough consultation. During this meeting, the practitioner reviews the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. This initial assessment helps determine if TMS is a suitable procedure. TMS practitioners may use the GAD-7 (generalized anxiety disorder scale) and other instruments, such as DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition), to measure the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms because they often occur together.

Preparation also includes brain mapping, which helps TMS practitioners and technicians target precise areas that need stimulation. There are two main ways to do this:

Using the motor threshold method, the TMS technician measures the patient's head, places the coil on the right side, and then uses light pulses to identify the target brain areas for stimulation, ensuring safety and efficacy. This method is usually used with NeuroStar, BrainsWay, and MagVenture devices.
Using neuronavigation technology further enhances the precision of the treatment by guiding the magnetic pulses to the correct location in the brain associated with anxiety. These steps ensure that the therapy is personalized to the patient’s needs, maximizing the potential for successful outcomes. This technique is possible with MagStim TMS devices.

After mapping the brain, TMS providers save and use the parameters throughout the sessions. Periodic adjustments may be made to achieve the best treatment results.

Treatment Sessions

During a TMS session for anxiety, the patient is seated comfortably in a specialized chair designed to support relaxation and stability throughout the procedure. Correct positioning is important, as it helps the person remain still and calm, which is essential for effective targeting. Patients can watch television or listen to music to relax and focus on something interesting.

After positioning, the TMS technician places the coil over the specific brain area associated with anxiety regulation. The coil position is carefully adjusted to ensure the magnetic field will reach the target region with optimal precision. For treating anxiety, the prefrontal cortex is typically the area of focus, as this region plays a significant role in mood regulation and emotional response.

The TMS provider begins the procedure by administering a series of brief magnetic pulses through the coil. They are painless and feel like gentle tapping on the head. The pulses are delivered repetitively to stimulate brain activity in the targeted regions. This procedure modulates neural pathways associated with anxiety symptoms, promoting healthier brain function over time.

BrainsWay Deep TMS™ is one of the leading FDA-approved systems for treating anxious depression. The standard protocol involves 20-minute sessions, 30-36 times over 6-9 weeks. This approach can address depressive symptoms with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder, helping people restore their mental well-being.

Throughout the session, the TMS technician monitors the patient’s comfort and response to treatment. Adjustments may be made to the strength and frequency of the pulses to ensure the procedure is comfortable and effective. TMS practitioners also make periodic assessments of anxiety symptoms to maximize the results. Such evaluations are usually done at the beginning of therapy, at the end of each week, and after the treatment course.

What to Expect After TMS Therapy for Anxiety?

After TMS therapy for anxiety, patients may experience mild side effects, such as slight scalp discomfort or a headache at the site where the magnetic pulses were applied. These symptoms are temporary and tend to lessen as the treatment course progresses. Unlike many medications, TMS therapy does not typically cause drowsiness or systemic side effects, allowing patients to resume their usual activities after each session.

The results of TMS therapy for anxiety are gradual, with some patients noticing improvements in mood and anxiety levels within a couple of weeks, while others may require more time to feel the full benefits. Continued sessions can strengthen these effects, helping to reduce depression and comorbid anxiety symptoms over time by encouraging lasting changes in brain activity related to mood regulation.

Candidates for TMS Therapy for Anxiety

TMS therapy for anxiety may be suitable for individuals who have not found relief through conventional treatments. This non-invasive procedure offers an alternative for those who need a different approach to managing anxiety. Candidates for TMS for anxiety include:

Individuals who have not responded to medication or psychotherapy
Patients seeking a non-pharmaceutical approach due to side effects or personal preference
Those diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or other forms of anxiety disorders
Individuals experiencing anxiety in conjunction with depression
Adults who are medically eligible and able to commit to a treatment schedule
People who would like to boost the effectiveness of their current medication by using TMS therapy along with medication.

TMS also has some contraindications. Patients with magnetic-sensitive metal implants in or near the head 4 inches or less from the coil are not eligible for this treatment. Another contraindication is a history of seizures and medical conditions that increase the risk of seizures. In addition, patients should not consume alcohol or other substances because they can undermine the results of TMS.

Benefits of TMS Therapy for Anxiety

TMS therapy is a unique treatment for managing anxiety symptoms. This procedure may offer many advantages, particularly for patients who have not achieved relief through other means. The benefits of TMS therapy for anxiety include:

Non-invasive treatment without anesthesia or surgery

Minimal side effects compared to medication

No impact on cognition or memory

Ability to resume daily activities immediately after each session

Gradual symptom improvement over time with sustained effects

Results last up to one year

Cost of TMS Therapy for Anxiety

The cost of TMS therapy for anxiety may vary from $150 to $300 per session without insurance coverage. The total price depends on the treatment course, which typically involves daily sessions (Monday to Friday) for 6-9 weeks.
Many insurance providers cover this therapy for anxious depression, reimbursing 30-100% of the costs. TMS clinics in our database help people navigate the complexities of insurance, minimize out-of-pocket expenses, and receive excellent mental health treatment. Uninsured patients can benefit from flexible financing plans offered by TMS providers.

Your Journey to Mental Well-Being

Overcoming anxiety is a journey, and it begins with finding the right healthcare professionals to guide you. Explore our directory to connect with doctors who understand the complexities of this condition and can provide the support you need on your path to mental well-being. TMS therapy has shown promising results in alleviating anxiety symptoms and enhancing mental well-being. It may also address treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. You will receive a detailed consultation after contacting one of our providers.

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TMS Therapy for Anxiety