TMS Depression Treatment - Side Effects and Safety: What Patients Should Know

NeuroStar TMS is a non-medication treatment option for patients with major depressive disorder who have not had adequate improvement with antidepressant medication. TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.

At Complete Healthcare in Richland, Washington, our goal is to help patients understand what NeuroStar TMS is, what side effects are common, what risks are rare, and how careful screening helps make treatment as safe and appropriate as possible.

NeuroStar TMS does not require anesthesia. It is performed in the office while the patient is awake, seated, and able to talk with the treatment team. Most patients return to normal activity after each session.

Common Side Effects of NeuroStar TMS

The most common side effects are scalp discomfort and headache. These are usually mild to moderate and often improve as the patient becomes accustomed to treatment.

Some patients describe the sensation as tapping, pulsing, or pressure on the scalp during the session. Facial-muscle movement may occur during treatment because the stimulation is delivered near motor pathways. This can feel unusual at first, but it is expected and monitored during treatment.

Headache can occur after a session, especially early in the treatment course. When appropriate, over-the-counter pain relievers may help. The treatment team may also adjust positioning or stimulation comfort settings when needed.

Motor-Threshold Mapping

Motor-threshold mapping is one of the most important safety steps in NeuroStar TMS treatment. During mapping, the clinician identifies the amount of stimulation needed to produce a small motor response, often involving the hand.

This helps personalize the treatment dose. The goal is not to use a one-size-fits-all setting, but to determine a patient-specific treatment intensity based on the nervous system’s response.

Motor-threshold mapping may be repeated during the treatment course if clinically appropriate, especially if medications change or if there are factors that could affect seizure threshold.

Seizure Risk

Seizure is a rare but recognized risk of TMS. Careful screening helps reduce that risk.

Before treatment, patients are screened for factors such as:

History of seizures

Certain neurologic conditions

Head injury or brain lesions

Metal or electronic implants near the head

Medication combinations that may lower seizure threshold

Alcohol or substance use concerns

Sleep deprivation

Recent medication changes

Patients should tell the treatment team about all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and any recent changes in sleep, alcohol use, or neurologic symptoms.

Hearing Protection

NeuroStar TMS produces clicking sounds during treatment. Hearing protection is used during sessions to reduce sound exposure. Patients should let the treatment team know if they have hearing sensitivity, tinnitus, or hearing devices.

Implants and Device Screening

Not every patient is a candidate for TMS. Metal or electronic implants near the head must be reviewed carefully. This may include certain aneurysm clips, implanted stimulators, cochlear implants, or other devices.

Dental fillings and most routine dental work are usually not a problem, but implanted devices or metal near the head require specific review before treatment.

What Treatment Feels Like

During treatment, the patient sits in a chair while the NeuroStar device is positioned against the scalp. The session involves repeated magnetic pulses. Patients may feel tapping on the scalp and may notice mild facial movement.

The patient remains awake. There is no sedation and no recovery room. After the session, most patients can drive, work, and resume normal activities unless otherwise advised.

When to Call the Office

Patients should contact the office if they develop severe or worsening headache, new neurologic symptoms, fainting, confusion, unusual movements, or symptoms that feel concerning after treatment.

Patients should seek urgent or emergency care for seizure-like activity, weakness on one side of the body, chest pain, shortness of breath, suicidal intent, or any rapidly worsening neurologic symptom.

Treatment Course

A typical NeuroStar TMS course involves multiple sessions over several weeks. Many protocols involve treatment 5 days per week for approximately 6 weeks, though the exact schedule depends on the treatment plan and clinical situation.

Response is monitored over time using symptom review and depression-rating tools. Some patients notice improvement gradually rather than immediately. Follow-up matters because treatment response, side effects, medication changes, and safety concerns should be reviewed throughout the course.

Care at Complete Healthcare

Complete Healthcare provides NeuroStar TMS evaluation and treatment in Richland, Washington, for appropriate candidates with depression.

Treatment begins with screening, review of prior treatment history, medication review, safety assessment, and discussion of goals.

NeuroStar TMS may be an option for patients who have not responded adequately to antidepressant medication or who have had difficulty tolerating medication side effects. Candidacy depends on diagnosis, treatment history, medical history, safety factors, and insurance requirements.

Call 509-392-6700 to schedule your consultation today.

Complete Healthcare

Richard Lorenzo, D.O.

Kortney Jones, ARNP

1045 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, WA 99352 | 509-392-6700