If you’ve been living with depression and haven’t found lasting relief through medication, you’re not alone – and you’re not out of options. For many people, antidepressants simply don’t work well enough. They come with side effects, take weeks to kick in, and sometimes stop working altogether. That experience can be exhausting and discouraging.
We offer NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) – a clinically proven, FDA-cleared treatment that works differently than anything you may have tried before. Here’s what it is, how it works, and why it’s changing lives.
The Problem with Depression That Medications Can't Always Fix
Depression isn’t just a “bad mood.” It’s rooted in brain activity — specifically, in areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotion and mood. In people with depression, these regions often become underactive, causing the connections between nerve cells (synapses) to weaken or go dormant.
Medications try to address this chemically, working through the digestive system to influence neurotransmitter levels throughout the entire body. That’s why they come with systemic side effects – weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, fatigue, and more. And for roughly one in three people with depression, medications simply don’t provide adequate relief.
NeuroStar TMS takes a completely different approach: it goes directly to the source.
How NeuroStar TMS Works
NeuroStar uses focused magnetic pulses — similar in strength to those used in an MRI machine — to stimulate the specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. A cushioned coil is precisely positioned against your head, and the magnetic pulses penetrate the skull to create small electrical currents that “wake up” dormant synapses in the prefrontal cortex.
When these underactive regions are stimulated back to normal function, neurotransmitter activity improves — naturally and without medication entering your bloodstream.
Think of it like rebooting a computer. NeuroStar revitalizes the brain’s own circuitry so it can start working the way it was meant to.
What a session looks like:
- You sit comfortably in a treatment chair, fully awake and alert
- A cushioned coil is placed gently against your head
- You’ll feel a light tapping or tingling sensation during treatment
- Each session takes as little as 19 minutes
- You can drive yourself home immediately afterward and return to your normal day
No anesthesia. No sedation. No recovery time.
What NeuroStar Treats
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is FDA-cleared for:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) — especially in patients who haven’t responded to antidepressants
- Anxious Depression — depression accompanied by significant anxiety symptoms
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The Results Speak for Themselves
In a large real-world study, 83% of patients who completed a full NeuroStar treatment cycle saw measurable improvement in their depression symptoms — and 62% achieved full remission. These aren’t clinical trial numbers. These are real patients in real-world settings.
NeuroStar is also the only TMS system with proven durability — its effects have been studied and confirmed over a 12-month period, making it a meaningful, long-lasting solution rather than a short-term fix.
What to Expect: Treatment Course and Side Effects
A typical NeuroStar treatment course runs about four to six weeks, with sessions scheduled daily on weekdays. Each session uses a focused magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain linked to mood, without medication entering your bloodstream and without the systemic side effects tied to antidepressant medication, such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction.
The most common side effect is mild to moderate scalp discomfort or a mild headache at the treatment site, most noticeable in the first week of treatment and easing quickly as your brain adjusts. Most patients tolerate this well and go on with their normal day right after each session.
Is NeuroStar Right for You?
NeuroStar may be a strong fit if you:
- Have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Have tried two or more antidepressants without satisfactory results
- Are bothered by medication side effects
- Are looking for a non-drug, non-invasive treatment option
- Are between the ages of 22 and 86
Getting Started: What Your Initial Consultation Looks Like
Your first visit starts with a conversation, not a treatment. Our psychiatric team reviews your history with depression, including which antidepressant medications you have tried and how they went, along with any past treatment for anxiety or OCD. From there, we talk through how NeuroStar TMS therapy works, what a typical week of treatment involves, and whether you are a good candidate for treatment-resistant depression care. You can ask about the mild pain or discomfort some patients feel during early sessions, insurance coverage, and what long term results tend to look like before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About NeuroStar TMS
Is NeuroStar TMS therapy painful?
Most patients describe the sensation as tapping rather than pain. Some feel mild pain or discomfort at the treatment site during the first sessions, which usually fades quickly and does not require any downtime.
How long until NeuroStar TMS therapy works?
Many patients notice early changes within two to three weeks, though the full effect is typically evaluated at the end of a complete four to six week course. Results have been shown to hold up over the long term for many patients who complete treatment.
Is NeuroStar TMS covered by insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover NeuroStar TMS for major depressive disorder once criteria such as prior antidepressant medication trials have been met. Our team can help verify your specific benefits before you start.
Ready to Learn More?
At Mediterra Mindful Care, our psychiatric team will assess whether NeuroStar TMS is right for your specific situation during an initial consultation. We’re here to answer every question — with no pressure and no rush.
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