rTMS — Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive. Drug-free. Scientifically validated. Coming soon to Mindbeing.
rTMS is among the most significant additions to the modern psychiatric arsenal. It is internationally approved (FDA, EMA) as effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Mindbeing will be among the first private practices in Thessaloniki to offer it.
What is rTMS
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) uses repeated magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain involved in mood regulation. The procedure is performed using a specialised coil placed on the scalp — no anaesthesia is needed, no hospitalisation is required, and the patient returns to their activities immediately afterwards.
Unlike medication, which acts systemically throughout the body, rTMS acts locally and outside the bloodstream. This means the side-effect profile is significantly different — and often much milder.
Which conditions it treats
Primary indications
- Treatment-resistant depression — patients who have not responded sufficiently to two or more antidepressants.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — as adjunctive treatment in resistant forms.
Potential indications (assessed case by case)
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar depression
rTMS suitability is assessed individually in clinical discussion. It is not appropriate for everyone — certain conditions (e.g. metal implants in the skull, history of epilepsy) are contraindications.
What a session looks like
Each rTMS session lasts approximately 20–40 minutes, depending on the protocol. While the device is operating, the patient sits up, awake and calm — they may listen to music or hold a conversation. After the session, they return immediately to their activities (including driving, with rare exceptions).
A full treatment course typically includes 20–30 sessions, over a 4–6 week period (usually 5 days per week). First effects are often seen after the first 1–2 weeks. In responders, improvement can be sustained for months — and supplemented where needed with maintenance sessions.
Side effects and safety
The most common side effects are mild and transient: a mild headache, muscle tension around the head, or scalp tenderness. These subside after the first few sessions and are easily managed.
Serious adverse events are rare. The most significant — seizures — occur in fewer than 1 in 30,000 sessions, and are prevented through careful patient selection and adherence to safety protocols.
Why rTMS at Mindbeing
The value of rTMS depends on the clinical management around it: correct patient selection, precise targeting, treatment monitoring, and integration of the tool into a broader care plan. At Mindbeing, rTMS will not be offered as a stand-alone “session package” service, but as one of the pillars of individualised psychiatric care — with the continuity and responsibility that entails.
Register your interest
Fill in the form and we will personally notify you when rTMS becomes available at Mindbeing. No obligation — just early access to information before launch.