The Office for National Statistics released data in December 2022, which revealed that around 1 in 6 (16%) adults experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms in Autumn of that year. This was found to be similar to a study conducted in the Summer of 2021 (17%), but higher than levels before the pandemic, which were found to be 10%.
There’s no doubt that many people in the UK now suffer with depression, and whilst the exact cause is unknown, it’s characterised by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells) and decreased activity in the frontal lobes of the brain.
At Smart TMS we have seen first-hand an increase in people coming to us to seek treatment over the last few years, which confirms to us what the ONS found. Once we have assessed their suitability for treatment, many of those who contact us will decide on a course of TMS for depression. One of the most common questions we’re asked is how many sessions of TMS are required to treat depression; here’s the answer.
The number of sessions required during a course TMS for depression is 30. The sessions of treatment take place over a period of three to six weeks. Each treatment lasts 30 minutes, and some patients are able to have more than one session a day.
As for results, our most recent data audit of the patients we treated with 30 sessions of TMS showed that 49% went into remission from depression. 56% had a 35% reduction in the severity of their symptoms. You can read more about this data audit on our results and evidence page.
Accelerated TMS for depression
One option that is often considered, is accelerated TMS for depression. This means the patient is able to have multiple TMS sessions during a single day, rather than being limited to one session.
This allows a full course of TMS treatment to be completed in less time which may be more convenient for some people.
Patients will still require 30 sessions of TMS for depression, but it’s possible for up to 5 sessions can be delivered in one day, meaning a full course can be delivered in a little over a week.
The decision to pursue accelerated TMS should be made in consultation with our clinician who will assess your medical history, treatment needs, and response to therapy.
Want to know more?
If you would like to speak to us about how a course of TMS sessions could help your depression, please contact us. If we believe that you are suitable candidate for TMS depression, we can then schedule your block of treatment.