TMS therapy for children and adolescents in Irvine
If you are a parent who does not want to expose your child to the unpredictable side effects of many mental health medications, you will be glad to know that Dr. Suzuki offers TMS for adolescents and children.
Contact Americas TMS Center today
(714) 867-7037
TMS therapy is a safe, effective and non-invasive way to treat mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
TMS treatment for children and adolescents
About one in 32 children between 3 and 17 years old is diagnosed with depression. One in 14 children in that age range is diagnosed with anxiety. And the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses reports that half of the cases of mental illness for life begin at the age of 14.
At Americas TMS Center, Alejandra Suzuki, MD, and her team can offer help through TMS for children and adolescents. As a pediatric psychiatrist with extensive experience, including advanced TMS training at the Harvard Berenson-Allen Center for Non- Invasive Brain Stimulation , Dr. Suzuki has the passion and experience necessary to help children, adolescents and adolescents lead their healthier lives and happy.
TMS is a safe and effective treatment for children and adolescents. In fact, clinical trials have shown that TMS, which is authorized by the FDA to treat depression in adults, has a similar safety profile when used for children and adolescents.
How does TMS work for children / adolescents?
Each teen or child TMS session will be fast. The sessions usually last between three and 30 minutes, depending on the recommendation of Dr. Suzuki for the specific needs of each patient. During the session, your child will relax comfortably in a chair while the technician prepares his treatment.
It will then deliver transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, through the coil in your child's brain. She directs these repeated magnetic pulses to the parts of the brain that are responsible for mood regulation. By stimulating increased activity in those brain regions, childhood and adolescent TMS can rebalance the brain and relieve your child of his symptoms.
TMS is a safe and effective treatment for children and adolescents. In fact, clinical trials have shown that TMS, which is authorized by the FDA to treat depression in adults, has a similar safety profile when used for children and adolescents.
TMS is authorized by the FDA for adults 18-70 years of age, and is considered an "off-label" procedure for persons under 18 years. The prescription of off-label medications is a very common practice, particularly in psychiatry and pediatrics. That means it has not been formally approved by the FDA for that age range. About 50 to 75 percent of medications used in pediatrics are out of label, in fact.
What should we expect during therapy with TMS for children and adolescents?
All treatment with TMS for children is designed with patient comfort in mind and several clinical trials have shown that the experience is well tolerated. The patient will hear a click as each magnetic pulse goes to the treatment location. Before, during and after treatment, Dr. Suzuki and her team strive to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed.
Some patients experience a mild headache during or after treatment. The headache usually goes away on its own in a few days. And compared to the side effects that are common with most mental health medications, the side effects of TMS are negligible.
While TMS is authorized by the FDA for adults 21-70 years of age, it is considered an "off-label" procedure for those under 18. The prescription of off-label medications is a very common practice, particularly in child psychiatry and pediatrics. That means it has not been formally approved by the FDA for that age range. In fact, about 50 to 75 percent of the medications used in pediatrics are off-label.
If your son or daughter is living with a mental illness, or if you are a teenager who wants to explore this safe but powerful treatment, Dr. Suzuki is here to help. Call Americas TMS Center for more information.
