TMS Therapy, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a safe and innovative approach to treat mental health conditions by stimulating targeted areas of the brain. TMS is considered an especially effective treatment for patients that struggle with depression and anxiety. While TMS therapy was originally developed in the 1980s, there have been significant improvements in the last several years to improve the safety of the treatment and expand the capability for the method to treat different conditions. Most recently, in March 2025, the FDA expanded the capability of psychiatrists and mental health professionals to use TMS for adolescents. By allowing youth ages 15 and up to utilize TMS for depression, it opens a new avenue of treating symptoms for those unable to take traditional medication.
What Is TMS Therapy?
TMS is a non-invasive approach to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, smoking cessation and more by stimulating specific parts of the brain (for instance the prefrontal cortex for depression and anxiety) with magnetic pulses. These magnetic pulses induce electrical currents in the brain that stimulate nerve cells that impact different psychiatric conditions. Learn more about why we use the Magstim Horizon 3.0 and the process we use at A Better Day Psychiatry on our TMS Therapy page.
Why Choose TMS for Depression?
TMS is a powerful tool in particular for difficult to treat depression. It is a non-invasive approach that can achieve overall superior results to antidepressants. It can be used when antidepressants have failed or are not tolerated, concurrently with antidepressant use, or for individuals who want to avoid medications and take a more holistic approach.
Is TMS for Adolescents Safe?
Magstim FDA Approval
According to the National Institute of Health, “TMS appears to be safe for use as a treatment for depression in adolescents.” On March 19, the FDA approved the Magstim Horizon 3.0 to treat major depression in adolescents from the ages of 15-21. This marks a significant breakthrough for treating depression in this age group.
TMS for Adolescents
Rates of depression have been rising at a concerning rate due to social media, loneliness, having the pandemic impact core developmental periods for this age group, and other factors. With this FDA clearance, psychiatrists now have an effective, non-invasive approach for treatment resistant or difficult to treat depression, especially when medications have failed or not been tolerated. In addition, for families who worry about the black box warning for antidepressants for individuals younger than 25, TMS may be a great option.
When To Choose TMS Therapy
TMS is a very effective treatment for depression and anxiety. Symptoms of depressed mood, poor sleep or sleeping too much, increased or decreased appetite, loss of interest in things or anhedonia, hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, poor focus and suicidal thoughts may all improve by effective treatment of depression. Additionally, symptoms of worries, fear, rumination, and physical symptoms of anxiety such as headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach can all improve with effective treatment of anxiety through TMS.
Depression
TMS therapy can help treat depression by stimulating nerve cells in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area identified as being hypoactive in depression. This region connects to areas in the brain critical for regulating mood.
Anxiety
TMS therapy can help treat anxiety similar to depression above but through targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and activating brain cells in similar brain regions which also include the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex.
If you are looking for TMS therapy in Denver or TMS therapy in Golden to treat adolescent depression, A Better Day Psychiatry will provide comprehensive, evidence based, and outcome measured care. Contact us here to learn more.