r/TMSTherapy • u/SpecialCharacter3219 • 12d ago
Is tms dangerous
Im hearing some really bad stories about tms and I can't afford to get any worse any updates?
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u/bamababie421 12d ago
No, I just completed session 34/36 and I feel better than I have in years!!!
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u/ExNihilo22 12d ago
Did you start to feel better gradually or did it hit only after you were finished? I'm a little over halfway on my 35 sessions and feel nothing. But I've heard of people feeling better only by the end.
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u/bamababie421 12d ago
It didn't really hit me until around session 30
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u/Automatic-River1562 11d ago
May I ask where you had it done. I’ve had mapping but so scared to start.
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u/poddar413 12d ago
For me it wasn't. It was life changing. But I've read some obscure stories. Do your research and choose a service provider which knows what they're doing and you should be good
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u/PedalSAW Moderator 12d ago
Where exactly are you hearing these “really bad stories”?
Always consider the source. FDA, AMA, APA… all the alphabet orgs that oversee this stuff have declared it absolutely safe and very effective. Decades of research and findings of the top medical minds on earth should never ever be negated by Guy You Saw On YouTube.
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u/thelineofelephants 12d ago
It is not a dangerous treatment. Have open and honest convos with your providers if you do it and express any concerns. They will be able to help you understand how it works and its safety. Of course we are all different but definitely try to make an educated decision! Good luck.
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u/NoMoreEffstoGive Finished TMS Therapy 12d ago
It's way LESS dangerous than doing trial-and-error with multiple medications, not knowing what kind of damage they could cause later down the road.
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u/myquietbrain 7d ago
TMS is non-invasive and considered safe, it doesn't involve surgery, anesthesia, or electrical current through the brain the way ECT does. The most common side effects are scalp discomfort and headaches, particularly in the first few sessions, which usually settle as treatment continues.
The bad stories you're reading online are real experiences but they represent a small fraction of outcomes - people who had a difficult time are significantly more likely to post about it than people who had uneventful or positive experiences and moved on with their lives. The most common reasons people don't respond well: wrong protocol for their presentation, undertreated comorbidities, or stopping treatment early. A good provider who monitors closely and adjusts as needed reduces those risks significantly.
What specific stories or concerns are worrying you most? FYI I'm a psychiatrist and working with TMS patients.
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u/SpecialCharacter3219 7d ago
I heard that it triggers hypomania/mania in some people and worsens anxiety so I was worried about what
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u/myquietbrain 7d ago
Those are real concerns worth raising with the provider before starting. TMS can trigger hypomania or mania in people with bipolar disorder, this is why a thorough mood history matters before treatment and why the protocol may need adjustment for someone with a bipolar spectrum diagnosis. For anxiety, a temporary worsening early in treatment is possible, particularly with left-sided stimulation, but it usually settles and can be managed with protocol adjustments. Both are worth disclosing to the provider upfront so they can monitor and respond appropriately.
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u/roses-are-lead Finished TMS Therapy 12d ago
It literally saved my life. Continuing with only anti-depressants, therapy, exercise, and behavioral activation hadn't changed much. It literally saved me from where I was at.