Agoura Hills, CA – “When your teen seems to always be in pain, it hurts you too. As a parent, you want to fix anything troubling them so they can live happy, successful lives. Unfortunately, matters are rarely that simple,” BNI Clinics opens in their recent blog. BNI Clinics, a mental health provider in the Los Angeles area, then mentions the difficulties that come with treatment-resistant depression. They say it’s especially concerning for teens and a precursor to depression in adulthood. TMS – the topic of the article – is a viable treatment in these cases, according to the mental health center.

First, BNI Clinics covers how TMS works. TMS, which stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, involves magnetic pulses used to stimulate underactive parts of the brain. The blog explains that it’s a noninvasive treatment, and then goes into more detail on what a TMS session will entail. It includes earplugs for loud sounds and a strength and number of pulses that varies based on what exactly the TMS treatment is for. According to the article, there are multiple types of TMS, “ including intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), which involves very short sessions. Researchers at Stanford University created the SAINT protocol, consisting of 10-minute, 1,800-pulse iTBS sessions 10 times per day for five days.”

BNI Clinics also addresses the conditions and symptoms TMS can help with. The article says it’s most commonly used for teens and adults alike, with high success rates for both. It adds that there’s some evidence that TMS might be beneficial for ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and more, though more research is needed. “TMS is also sometimes used to treat anxiety and is FDA-approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraines, and treatment to stop smoking in adults,” it further explains.

The major question of the blog surrounds TMS’s safety for adolescents, and the article addresses this next. According to the blog, studies show TMS is just as safe for adolescents as adults. “The FDA approved TMS for treatment-resistant depression in individuals ages 15 and older as of early 2024. While there is always potential for side effects, only 1% of participants in several studies experienced a severe negative reaction, which is less than when youth take antidepressant medications,” the blog says.

BNI Clinics also provides guidance on who might be a promising candidate for TMS. They highlight mood disorders, conditions that have been resistant to other treatments, side effects with other treatments, and declining conditions despite treatment as viable reasons to try TMS. “It’s important to note that TMS is most effective when completed alongside continued psychotherapy. Even if your teen hasn’t seen results from talk therapy so far, we encourage continuing it. TMS may reduce any concerns enough for other therapies to be effective and aid in symptom remission,” BNI Clinics also informs the reader.

In the end, the article empathizes with parents of teens with treatment-resistant depression in particular, speaking to how powerless they can feel. They also point out how frustrating it is for teens involved. “There is still hope,” BNI Clinics assures any parents reading. “TMS therapy is an option that could change your entire family’s life and set your teen on the path to a brighter future.”

BNI Clinics is a mental health provider for all ages in the Los Angeles area. They offer psychological testing for every age group. Their practice is owned and operated by expert clinicians who are qualified to diagnose and treat incredibly complex mental health situations. All therapy modalities they offer are evidence-based, including TMS and ketamine therapy. Both individual psychotherapy appointments and group therapy are options. They also work closely with BNI Treatment Centers in the event that a teen needs more intensive care. Learn more about BNI Clinics’ work by visiting their website or calling (310) 691-5005.

“BNI Clinics: Science-based, evidence-backed, compassion-led.”

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For more information about BNI Clinics, contact the company here:

BNI Clinics
Maria Sarkisian
310-691-5005
maria@bnitreatment.com
28038 Dorothy Dr Ste#200
Agoura Hills, CA, 91301