Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy often faces widespread misunderstandings, but the reality is both encouraging and well‑supported. At Chrysalis Psychiatry, our providers give you a friendly, positive, and fact‑based look at some of the common myths. Addressing the misconceptions about NeuroStar TMS allows you to make an informed treatment decision regarding your major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxious depression.
During your NeuroStar treatment sessions, a magnetic coil is positioned against your scalp, delivering magnetic pulses that many describe as producing a light tapping or clicking sensation. This treatment is controlled by a computer, which means we can readily adjust the settings to customize your treatment.
TMS therapy was first developed in 1985 and NeuroStar received FDA clearance in 2008 for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Since then, it was cleared for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2018 and treatment-resistant depression in adolescents in 2024. Its long track record reflects growing clinical confidence in treating other mood disorders.
TMS does not require anesthesia or recovery time. You can receive your treatment and resume your usual activities right away, and treatment sessions last roughly 20 minutes.
Common side effects, if any, are mild and short-lived. You might experience scalp sensitivity or headaches. We adjust the treatment pulses to minimize your side effects, and they typically resolve completely by the second week of treatment.
Serious side effects, like seizures, are exceptionally rare and have occurred in only a small fraction of patients under strict protocols. This is why TMS is not recommended for people with a known seizure disorder.
TMS therapy has not been linked to memory impairment or personality changes. The goal of NeuroStar TMS is to treat your depression or other mood disorder without causing long-term side effects like memory loss or personality shifts.
While TMS is routinely used for treatment-resistant depression, it’s also applied successfully for cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as major depression with comorbid anxiety. Research continues to explore new and promising uses beyond its current approvals.
NeuroStar TMS has demonstrated durable benefits. Unlike medications that require ongoing use to maintain the effect, TMS can produce long-lasting improvement, but the durability varies from months to years after treatment. Studies show that by 1 year after treatment, about half of people have not experienced recurrence of their depression.
TMS is an effective treatment option, but it is not the right choice for everyone. NeuroStar TMS is precise and provides a personalized approach to treatment, targeting specific brain regions and offering focused support without affecting the rest of your body. However, because it uses magnetic impulses, you should not use it if you have a metal implant, such as a cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, or pacemaker.
NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy is a well‑tolerated, non‑invasive option with a strong research foundation. It is not an experimental procedure, nor does it disrupt your daily life, except for having to travel to our facility every day. It doesn’t carry risks like memory loss and remains effective for months to years.
At Chrysalis Psychiatry in Albuquerque, our providers strive to dispel misunderstandings, offering friendly and knowledgeable support as we address the misconceptions about NeuroStar TMS and explore whether it is a good fit for your path forward.
