If you're researching TMS therapy in Miami, one of the first questions you probably have is: "What are the side effects?" It's a smart question, and the answer is one of TMS's biggest advantages over antidepressants. Here's a complete, honest breakdown from the board-certified psychiatrists at Elevate Psychiatry.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive brain stimulation therapy used to treat major depression, OCD, and other conditions. A magnetic coil is placed against the scalp and delivers targeted magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Sessions last 20–40 minutes, and a full treatment course typically involves 5 sessions per week for 4–6 weeks.
TMS is most often recommended for patients with treatment-resistant depression — those who have tried 2 or more antidepressants without adequate relief. At Elevate Psychiatry, we offer TMS at all three of our Miami locations.
TMS has a very favorable side effect profile compared to antidepressant medications. The most common side effects are:
The most frequently reported side effect. During the magnetic pulses, many patients feel a tapping or tingling sensation on the scalp where the coil is placed. This sensation typically improves significantly after the first few sessions as you adjust to the treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers taken before sessions can help during the adaptation period.
Mild headaches are reported by some patients after sessions, particularly during the first 1–2 weeks. These typically resolve within an hour. They are not severe and rarely cause patients to discontinue treatment.
Some patients notice slight twitching of facial muscles during stimulation. This is a normal physiological response to the magnetic field and is not harmful. It disappears when the pulse stops.
TMS has an excellent safety record with over two decades of clinical use. Rare but possible side effects include:
The estimated risk of a seizure during TMS is approximately 1 in 10,000 treatment sessions. This is lower than the seizure risk associated with many antidepressant medications at therapeutic doses. Elevate Psychiatry's medical team screens all patients for seizure risk factors before beginning treatment.
The TMS device produces a clicking sound during stimulation. Earplugs are provided to all patients during sessions to prevent any potential hearing impact from prolonged exposure.
This is where TMS stands out. Unlike antidepressant medications, TMS does not cause:
Many patients choose TMS precisely because they want an effective depression treatment without the side effects that made antidepressants difficult to tolerate.
Both TMS and Spravato (esketamine) are used for treatment-resistant depression. Spravato is administered as a nasal spray in a monitored clinical setting and can cause temporary dissociation, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure during the administration period. TMS has no systemic effects and patients can drive themselves home. Your Elevate Psychiatry provider can help you determine which option is best suited to your case.
TMS is contraindicated for patients who have:
MRI-safe dental fillings and titanium implants elsewhere in the body do not disqualify patients from TMS.
Yes — TMS is covered by most major insurance plans when medical necessity criteria are met (typically, a history of 2 or more failed antidepressant trials). Elevate Psychiatry's team handles prior authorization and insurance verification. Most patients are approved. Learn more about our TMS therapy program in Miami.
If antidepressants haven't worked and you want a treatment with minimal side effects, TMS may be the right next step. Contact Elevate Psychiatry in Miami — we offer TMS at our Doral and Coconut Grove offices. No referral needed. Same-week consultations available.
