If antidepressants haven't worked, or haven't worked well enough,your psychiatrist may discuss rTMS. It's not a familiar process for most people, so this page walks through what actually happens during rTMS treatment at Hirondelle Private Hospital.
rTMS is one of the treatment options we offer for depression that hasn't responded adequately to standard antidepressant medication, delivered by our onsite rTMS Nurses and psychiatrists as part of a broader treatment plan.
In short: rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive treatment for depression that hasn't responded to standard antidepressants. At Hirondelle Private Hospital, your individualised rTMS treatment plan will be developed by your treating psychiatrist. each session will take 20 to 45 minutes each, and are provided by our onsite rTMS trained nurses.. Side effects are generally mild, and a referral an initial outpatient appointment with one of our rTMS accredited psychiatrists is required to get started.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), sometimes referred to simply as TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. A small coil positioned near the scalp delivers targeted magnetic pulses to activate nerve cells in these areas. No anaesthesia or sedation is involved, and you remain awake and alert throughout. It's primarily used for treatment-resistant depression, where standard antidepressant medication hasn't produced enough improvement.
Your treating psychiatrist will prescribe an individualised rTMS treatment plan , with each session taking 20 to 45 minutes. Most people describe the sensation as a light tapping on the scalp. You're awake and alert for the entire session and can generally return to normal activities straight afterwards. Treatment at Hirondelle is provided by our onsite psychiatrists, Dr Husayn Aly and Dr Verere Bateren.
Where rTMS is effective, improvements are typically noticed after two to four weeks of treatment, though this varies from person to person: some people notice changes earlier, others later in the course. rTMS is generally used alongside medication and ongoing psychiatric care rather than as a standalone treatment.
The most common side effects are mild and temporary: headache, scalp discomfort and neck tension, which can usually be managed with simple pain relief such as paracetamol. Less commonly, people may experience fainting, temporary changes in hearing (earplugs are provided during sessions), or mood changes. Heating of metal implants near the treatment site is also possible. Seizures are rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 30,000 treatment sessions, a risk broadly comparable to that associated with antidepressant medication.
Your psychiatrist will screen for these factors as part of your assessment before rTMS is recommended.
Hirondelle Private Hospital is part of the iMH group and accredited against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Our rTMS program is provided by onsite psychiatrists Dr Husayn Aly and Dr Verere Bateren, both MBBS, FRANZCP, and is delivered as part of a coordinated treatment plan that also considers medication and ongoing psychiatric review.
Treatment begins with a referral to one of our rTMS psychiatrists. From there, contact our Admissions Team on +61 2 9411 1466, hdl.reception@imh.com.au, or fax +61 2 9412 1205 to arrange your assessment and discuss funding or out-of-pocket costs.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 000 in an emergency.
What is TMS treatment?
TMS, or rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It's primarily used for depression that hasn't responded to standard antidepressant treatment.
Is rTMS available in Australia?
Yes. rTMS is an established treatment for treatment-resistant depression in Australia, and is provided at Hirondelle Private Hospital by our onsite psychiatrists.
How is rTMS different from other treatments for depression?
Unlike medication, rTMS doesn't circulate through the body, and unlike some other brain stimulation treatments, it doesn't require anaesthesia: you remain awake and alert throughout each session.
Does rTMS hurt?
Most people describe the sensation as a light tapping on the scalp rather than pain. Mild headache, scalp discomfort or neck tension afterwards are the most commonly reported side effects.
How many rTMS sessions will I need?
A standard course typically runs Monday to Friday for around four weeks, though your psychiatrist will confirm the specific number of sessions recommended for you.
Is rTMS covered by Medicare or private health insurance?
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible psychiatric consultations and rTMS treatment. Private health insurance may also contribute to some hospital-related costs, depending on your cover. Out-of-pocket costs apply for appointments with your treating psychiatrist and for each rTMS session. Our Admissions Team can help you understand the costs, Medicare rebates and any private health insurance benefits that may apply before you commence treatment.
If standard antidepressant treatment hasn't given you the improvement you were hoping for, rTMS may be worth discussing with your psychiatrist. At Hirondelle Private Hospital, treatment is delivered by experienced onsite psychiatrists within a coordinated care plan. To find out whether rTMS could be right for you, talk to your GP or psychiatrist about a referral, or contact our Admissions Team today.
