At Synergy NeuroPsychiatry, we offer BrainsWay Deep TMS as part of our physician-led interventional psychiatry services.
For some patients, medication management and other traditional approaches may not provide enough support. Deep TMS may be considered as part of a broader psychiatric care plan for eligible patients with OCD or major depressive disorder, including treatment-resistant depression.
We take time to understand your symptoms, treatment history, medical background, and goals before discussing whether Deep TMS may be appropriate.
TMS for bipolar depression and PTSD may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on individual patient history and provider evaluation.
Deep TMS is a noninvasive form of transcranial magnetic stimulation. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain and does not require anesthesia.
At Synergy NeuroPsychiatry, Deep TMS is provided in an outpatient setting using BrainsWay technology. It is not surgery, and it is not medication. Instead, it is an advanced treatment option that may be considered when clinically appropriate.
Deep TMS is one part of interventional psychiatry. It can fit within a broader treatment conversation that may also include psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and coordination with other members of your care team when helpful.
Deep TMS is not right for every patient or every mental health concern. A careful evaluation helps determine whether it may fit your diagnosis, treatment history, safety profile, and overall care needs.
Note on age groups: References to FDA clearance throughout this page apply to adolescents (15 and older), adults, and elderly patients (65 and older), as separate clearances exist for each of these populations. Treatment appropriateness for any individual patient, regardless of age group, is determined through clinical evaluation at Synergy NeuroPsychiatry.
OCD can involve intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, mental rituals, avoidance, and distress that can interfere with daily life.
BrainsWay Deep TMS is FDA-cleared as an adjunct treatment option for OCD. At Synergy NeuroPsychiatry, OCD is a particular clinical focus, and we consider Deep TMS within the context of each patient’s symptoms, treatment history, and broader psychiatric care plan.
For some patients with major depressive disorder, previous antidepressant medication treatment may not provide satisfactory improvement during a current depressive episode. Deep TMS may be considered as an outpatient treatment option when clinically appropriate.
We review the full picture before making a recommendation, including diagnosis, prior medication response, current symptoms, medical history, and relevant safety considerations.
Depression and anxiety symptoms can occur together. BrainsWay Deep TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder in patients who have not had satisfactory improvement with antidepressant medication in the current episode, including decreasing comorbid anxiety symptoms.
This does not mean Deep TMS is a general treatment for every anxiety disorder. A psychiatric evaluation helps clarify whether it may be relevant to your symptoms and treatment history.
TMS may be considered on a case to case basis for Bipolar depression and PTSD.
BrainsWay Deep TMS carries several distinct FDA clearances that extend beyond standard adult major depressive disorder treatment. These include clearance for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxious distress, a separate clearance for major depressive disorder in elderly patients, a clearance for treatment-resistant depression in adolescents, and clearance as an adjunct treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. At Synergy NeuroPsychiatry, our clinical team evaluates which clearance, if any, applies to you based on diagnosis, age, treatment history, and current symptom presentation.
Our practice uses BrainsWay Deep TMS technology as part of a thoughtful, individualized approach to psychiatric care.
We do not assume that every patient needs the same treatment or that Deep TMS is the right next step for everyone. Our role is to help you understand your options, ask informed questions, and consider what may fit your needs without pressure.
For patients who may be candidates, Deep TMS is considered within a care plan guided by psychiatric evaluation and clinical judgment.
Before Deep TMS is considered, we look carefully at the concerns bringing you in, what treatments you have already tried, and how symptoms are affecting your daily life.
We may also review relevant medical, neurological, medication, and device history. This helps us understand whether Deep TMS may be appropriate and whether there are safety considerations that should be discussed.
A Deep TMS evaluation is not a promise that treatment will be recommended. It is an opportunity to better understand your symptoms and discuss available care pathways.
Deep TMS is not appropriate for everyone. Certain metal objects or implanted stimulation devices in or near the head may affect whether treatment is an option. A history of seizures or other neurological considerations should also be reviewed as part of the evaluation.
Headache and temporary discomfort around the treatment area can occur. Your clinician can discuss potential risks, expected effects, and questions specific to your health history before treatment is considered.
Deep TMS has been studied in randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials involving major depressive disorder and OCD.
This research supports discussing Deep TMS as a treatment option for selected patients. It does not mean that Deep TMS works the same way for everyone or that a particular outcome can be guaranteed.
Individual response can vary based on diagnosis, treatment history, symptom severity, clinical fit, and other factors. Our approach is to consider the evidence alongside the person in front of us.
If you’ve tried antidepressant medications and talk therapy without the relief you were hoping for, Deep TMS may be an option worth discussing with your provider. Note that most insurance plans require documentation of prior treatment attempts, typically including two or more failed medication trials, before approving TMS coverage.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) Summary: BrainsWay Deep TMS System, K220819.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. De Novo Classification Request for BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation System, DEN170078.
Levkovitz, Y., et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Major Depression: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.” World Psychiatry, 2015, 14(1), 64–73.
Carmi, L., et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 2019, 176(11), 931–938.
If you are looking for psychiatry, medication management, or advanced outpatient treatment options in the Kalamazoo area, contact Synergy NeuroPsychiatry to learn more about care options.