TMS is a non-invasive brain therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The treatment has been FDA-approved since 2008 for adults and has since expanded for use in adolescents with treatment-resistant depression.

Unlike medications that affect the whole body, TMS works locally, targeting only specific brain regions. This precision makes it a valuable option for teens who may not have responded to traditional antidepressants or who experience intolerable side effects from medication.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 3 million adolescents in the U.S. experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2023. This statistic underscores the importance of safe, effective, and accessible therapies like TMS.

TMS delivers brief, focused magnetic pulses to the prefrontal cortex—an area tied to mood regulation. Certain TMS devices now carry U.S. FDA clearance for adolescents ages 15–21 with major depressive disorder, based on safety and effectiveness data. See the FDA clearance summary.

If you’re new to the science, the National Institute of Mental Health provides a helpful guide on teen depression.

Before beginning TMS therapy, your teen will meet with one of our providers for a thorough evaluation. This includes reviewing their depression history, past treatments, and overall health to determine if TMS is appropriate. If cleared, treatment sessions are scheduled—typically five days a week for several weeks.

Treatment-resistant depression occurs when a person does not experience sufficient improvement after trying two or more antidepressant therapies. For teens, this can lead to increased social withdrawal, academic challenges, and even suicidal thoughts.

TRD affects up to 30% of adolescents diagnosed with MDD, making the need for alternative treatments more urgent than ever. That’s where TMS comes in.

TMS is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation. The Magstim TMS system is now FDA-approved for adolescents, marking a significant step forward in mental health care.

TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that targets underactive areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Using magnetic pulses, TMS activates these regions to help “reboot” normal brain function.

Sessions typically last 20 to 40 minutes, five days a week, for several weeks. There’s no downtime—your teen can resume daily activities immediately.

The Magstim Horizon 3.0 and Horizon Inspire systems use magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that control emotions. This process, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), is painless and does not require surgery. It is a great option for teens who have not found relief from traditional treatments like therapy or medication.

The approval of the Horizon Inspire and Horizon 3.0 TMS systems marks a significant step forward in the treatment of adolescent depression. TMS is a non-invasive therapy that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation, providing an alternative to traditional treatments such as medication and therapy.

For providers using Magstim technology, this clearance enables the treatment of adolescent patients with MDD, enhancing the accessibility of innovative mental health solutions tailored to younger individuals. Clinicians treating adolescent patients will need an updated Instructions for Use (IFU), which will be distributed accordingly.

OCD has two main parts: obsessions and compulsions. Sounds fancy, right? But it’s pretty straightforward.

• Obsessions: These are those nagging, unwanted thoughts that won’t leave you alone. Imagine being stuck on repeat, worrying about germs, safety, or things being “just right.”
• Compulsions: These are the actions you feel forced to do because of those obsessive thoughts. It’s like your brain tricks you into thinking, “If I do this, I’ll feel better.” So you wash your hands again. And again. And again. Or you check the door a hundred times before bed.

Now, habits and routines are normal. We all have them. But with OCD, these thoughts and actions can take over, eating up hours of your day. Not exactly a great way to live.

Spravato, approved by the FDA in 2019, represents a novel approach to treating depression. It is a nasal spray derived from ketamine, a medication known for its anesthetic properties. This fast-acting treatment targets the brain’s glutamate system, fostering neural connections that may have been weakened by depression. Administered in a healthcare professional’s office, Spravato requires close monitoring due to its potential side effects, such as dissociation and blood pressure changes. The treatment regimen typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks.