Depression Treatment: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) | Stanford

TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a promising new way to treat major depressive disorder that is not responding to other treatments such as medication or psychotherapy. TMS may sound intimidating, but does not involve surgery or anesthesia, and is not painful. It is an FDA-approved treatment that works in a very similar way to an MRI.

Dr. Nina Vasan introduces TMS and explains when it might be a good option, how it works, and what to expect when beginning treatment.

0:00 Overview of TMS
1:51 When might TMS be a good option?
3:01 How does TMS work?
4:20 What can I expect during treatment?
5:46 What if it doesn’t work?

Dr. Nina Vasan is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford, where she is Founder and Executive Director of Brainstorm: The Stanford Lab for Mental Health Innovation.

The information in this video was accurate as of the upload date, 7/26/2022. For information purposes only. Consult your local medical authority or your healthcare practitioner for advice.

This video is a production of the Stanford Center for Health Education team, in collaboration with Stanford Medicine and the Stanford Center for Professional Development.

At the Stanford Center for Health Education, we believe that expanding access to engaging education has the power to change behaviors, improve health, and save lives.

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