TMS is best known as a treatment for depression. But many people living with depression also struggle with anxiety, and some also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A common question is whether TMS can help with those symptoms too.
The short answer is that NeuroStar TMS is FDA-cleared to reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with depression, and as an add-on treatment for adults with OCD. It is not cleared as a standalone treatment for general anxiety disorders. Here is what that means for you.
What NeuroStar TMS is cleared to treat
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has four FDA-cleared uses:
- Treating depressive episodes in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication
- Reducing anxiety symptoms in adults with MDD who also have anxiety symptoms (often called anxious depression)
- An add-on (adjunct) treatment for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder
- An add-on treatment for MDD in adolescents ages 15 to 21
An FDA clearance describes the specific conditions and patients a device has been cleared for. That is why it matters whether anxiety is happening alongside depression or on its own.
TMS for anxious depression
Anxiety and depression often occur together. People with anxious depression may feel persistent worry, restlessness, tension or trouble sleeping in addition to low mood, loss of interest and fatigue. This combination can be harder to treat with medication alone.
For adults with major depressive disorder who also have anxiety symptoms and have not improved enough with antidepressants, NeuroStar TMS is cleared to treat the depression and to reduce the anxiety symptoms that come with it. The treatment course is the same as TMS for depression: about 36 sessions over roughly six weeks, with each session taking about 19 to 37 minutes.
TMS for OCD
OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repeated behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that can take up hours of the day. First-line treatments for OCD are a type of talk therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP) and certain medications.
NeuroStar TMS is cleared as an adjunct for adults with OCD, which means it is used in addition to ongoing treatment rather than replacing it. If you have OCD and your symptoms have not improved enough with therapy and medication, ask your provider whether adding TMS could be an option and whether it is available for OCD at the clinic you are considering.
What about anxiety without depression?
If you have generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety without major depression, TMS is not FDA-cleared as a primary treatment for those conditions. Evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are usually the first options. A provider can help you sort out your symptoms and point you toward the right care.
Who may be a good candidate?
You may be a candidate for TMS if you:
- Are an adult diagnosed with major depressive disorder, with or without anxiety symptoms
- Have tried antidepressant medication without enough improvement
- Want to avoid or reduce medication side effects
- Can attend sessions five days a week for several weeks
- Do not have non-removable metal in or near your head
For a full picture, read what is TMS therapy for depression? and questions to ask before starting TMS.
Is TMS for anxiety covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for TMS is usually based on a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. If you have anxious depression, coverage generally follows the same prior authorization rules as TMS for depression. Coverage for TMS as an add-on treatment for OCD varies more between plans, so it is important to check your benefits first.
Find out if TMS could help you
Living with both depression and anxiety can be exhausting, especially when medications have not been enough. A consultation can help you understand your options. Learn more about TMS therapy in Albuquerque, or contact Mediterra Mindful Care to schedule a consultation.
