Can TMS Help With Depression That Includes Anxiety Symptoms?

Depression and anxiety frequently occur together, and for many people, this combination can feel especially overwhelming. You may experience persistent sadness alongside racing thoughts, restlessness, or constant worry. Traditional treatments do not always address both conditions equally, which often leaves people wondering whether newer approaches like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can help with both. This is where understanding TMS for depression and anxiety becomes important for setting realistic expectations and exploring effective care options.

Understanding the Link Between Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are distinct diagnoses, but they share overlapping brain circuits and chemical signaling pathways. Many individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder also experience anxiety symptoms such as excessive worry, irritability, muscle tension, or panic-like sensations. In some cases, anxiety appears first and depression develops over time. In others, both conditions emerge together.

From a neurological perspective, both depression and anxiety involve dysregulation in areas of the brain responsible for mood control, emotional processing, and threat detection. The prefrontal cortex, which plays a key role in decision-making and emotional regulation, often shows reduced activity in depression. Meanwhile, anxiety is associated with heightened activity in brain regions related to fear and stress responses. When these systems are out of balance, symptoms can reinforce each other, making recovery more challenging.

What Is TMS and How Does It Work?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, particularly when symptoms have not responded well to medication or therapy alone.

TMS works by gently activating underactive neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex. Over time, this stimulation can help restore healthier communication between brain regions involved in mood regulation. Unlike medication, TMS does not circulate through the bloodstream and does not typically cause systemic side effects such as weight gain, sedation, or sexual dysfunction.

Because depression and anxiety share overlapping neural pathways, improving the function of these circuits can have broader emotional benefits beyond mood alone.

Can TMS Help Anxiety Symptoms Too?

Although TMS is primarily approved for depression, many patients report meaningful improvements in anxiety symptoms during treatment. Research and clinical experience suggest that TMS for depression and anxiety can be especially helpful when anxiety is closely tied to depressive symptoms.

As mood improves, many individuals notice a reduction in constant worry, emotional reactivity, and physical tension. This may be due to improved top-down regulation from the prefrontal cortex, which helps calm overactive stress responses in other parts of the brain.

It is important to note that outcomes vary. TMS is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, and its effects on anxiety may differ depending on the type of anxiety present. For example, generalized anxiety symptoms related to mood dysregulation may respond differently than trauma-related anxiety or panic disorders. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether TMS is a good fit and how it may be integrated into a broader treatment plan.

What the Research Says About TMS for Depression and Anxiety

Studies consistently show that TMS is effective for reducing depressive symptoms, and many also report secondary improvements in anxiety measures. Patients with comorbid depression and anxiety often experience reductions in both symptom sets, even when anxiety was not the primary treatment target.

Clinicians have also observed that improvements tend to occur gradually. Some individuals notice early relief in anxiety-related symptoms such as sleep disruption or mental agitation, while mood improvements follow over the course of treatment. Others experience the opposite pattern. This variability is normal and part of why personalized care and ongoing monitoring are essential.

What to Expect During Treatment

TMS treatments are typically administered five days per week over several weeks. Each session lasts about 20 to 40 minutes, and patients remain awake and alert throughout. There is no need for anesthesia or recovery time, and most people return to daily activities immediately afterward.

During treatment, it is common for providers to track both depressive and anxiety symptoms to assess progress. Many individuals find that as depressive symptoms lift, they feel more emotionally resilient and better equipped to manage stressors that previously felt unmanageable.

Combining TMS With Therapy and Support

At Goodwin Health Café, TMS is often most effective when paired with supportive therapies such as psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medication management when appropriate. Addressing anxiety may also involve learning coping strategies, improving sleep patterns, and reducing physiological stress responses.

This integrated approach acknowledges that healing is not just about symptom reduction but about improving overall quality of life. TMS can create the neurological conditions that make therapy and self-care strategies more effective.

Is TMS Right for You?

If you are struggling with depression that includes anxiety symptoms, exploring TMS for depression and anxiety may be a valuable step. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms align with what TMS is known to treat effectively and how it fits into your broader mental health goals.

Everyone’s experience with depression and anxiety is unique. While TMS is not a cure-all, it has helped many individuals regain emotional balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of control when other treatments have fallen short.

Moving Forward With Informed Care

Living with both depression and anxiety can feel exhausting, but effective options do exist. Understanding how treatments like TMS work allows you to make informed decisions rooted in science and realistic expectations. With the right support and a personalized treatment plan, meaningful improvement is possible.

If you would like to learn more about TMS or explore whether it may be right for you, visit Goodwin Health Café, located at 5625 N. Wall St. Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99205.Learn more at https://www.goodwinhealthcafe.com/