If you are exploring treatment options for your mental health condition, you may be considering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). You may have discovered that TMS can be broken down into different subtypes—including repetitive TMS (rTMS) and deep TMS (dTMS)—and you may be wondering what the difference is between rTMS and dTMS.
While both rTMS and dTMS operate on the standard principles of TMS—utilizing magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity—there are key differences between them that you should understand before you make your treatment decision. We understand that you may have a lot of questions about how these treatment options could help you manage your mental health condition. For more information, as well as personalized guidance, schedule your consultation with Chrysalis Psychiatry today.
TMS is a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain. This treatment targets specific areas of your brain associated with your mood regulation, and it is used primarily to treat major depressive disorder and other mental health concerns. During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed on your scalp to deliver magnetic pulses to your brain. These help to modulate brain activity and can alleviate symptoms of major depressive disorder. While rTMS and dTMS may differ, both offer the benefits of standard TMS, including:
For more information about TMS and to discover if this treatment is right for you, speak to our specialists today.
Both rTMS and dTMS are advanced forms of TMS, but they vary in their technical approach. rTMS involves delivering a series of magnetic pulses to specific brain regions at high frequency—10–20 hertz (Hz)—or low frequency—one Hz. Unlike standard TMS, which typically involves single or sparse pulses, rTMS uses repeated pulses to induce more sustained changes in brain activity, allowing for more significant and lasting therapeutic effects compared to single-pulse TMS.
By adjusting pulse frequency and pattern, rTMS offers precise targeting of specific brain regions, and the repetitive stimulation enhances neuroplasticity, making rTMS particularly effective for treating conditions such as major depressive disorder—especially if you have not responded to conventional treatments. rTMS may be very beneficial if you are looking for a more advanced form of TMS.
dTMS is another variation of TMS. Unlike rTMS, dTMS uses a specialized coil to reach deeper layers of your brain’s cortical region. This deeper stimulation potentially makes dTMS more effective for certain mental health conditions or severe major depressive disorder symptoms that have not abated with traditional TMS. The specialized coil allows for more precise targeting of specific brain areas, and dTMS often includes advanced features such as real-time brain imaging for enhanced treatment accuracy. If you have particular mental health issues, dTMS can be an ideal treatment choice.
If you are still wondering what the difference is between rTMS and dTMS, or you are ready to explore how rTMS or dTMS could improve your mental health and wellness, schedule a consultation with Chrysalis Psychiatry today.
Let us help you not just treat depression but beat depression. Our dedicated team of professionals is here to guide you through every step of your TMS treatment journey, ensuring that you receive the most effective and compassionate care possible. Schedule your consultation with our specialists today.
