Photo submitted to the Times Observer Alexandria Shrefler explains the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Service to a consumer sitting in the TMS Suite at Beacon Light Behavioral Health System in Warren.

Beacon Light Behavioral Health System, an affiliate of Journey Health System, is now offering BrainsWay’s Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to treat major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder for adults at its Warren office.

According to Beacon Light officials, the Warren service is the only one within roughly 100 miles.

“We are pleased to offer an alternative FDA-approved treatment option for our patients who have not responded to medication treatments,” said Dr. John Simora, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System medical director. “This service will complement our current treatment paths that are unique to each patient.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated about 17.3 million American adults suffer from major depressive disorder, but nearly 40% of these people may not receive standard treatment options. About 1 in 40 Americans over the age of 18 are affected by OCD, with the success rate of drug therapy ranging from 40 to 60%.

BrainsWay is a global medical technology company dedicated to advancing modern mental health treatment for patients by using noninvasive neuro-stimulation techniques. The organization has been using Deep TMS, which uses magnetic waves to target areas of the brain, to treat depression since 2013 and received FDA clearance to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2018.

Magnetic waves are administered for 20 minutes via a non-invasive cushioned helmet. Using a high powered-magnet, electrical currents are stimulated in areas of the brain that are associated with mood and anxiety disorders. These magnetic fields allow physicians to stabilize and regulate patient neural activity.

According to past nationwide results, the side effects of Deep TMS are minimal, unlike most antidepressants, and patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.

“Our goal is to collaborate with local behavioral health and primary care providers to improve outcomes for individuals with treatment-resistant MDD and OCD,” said Dr. John John, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System outpatient clinic medical director. “We are excited to provide this treatment and are happy to discuss with other psychiatric providers who wish to refer, as well as with PCPs, to learn more about TMS including criteria and referral process for their patients who may benefit from this service.”

Referrals for TMS are being accepted by calling 814-723-1832. For more information visit www.beacon-light.org .