Anxiety

When anxiety is stuck in high gear, there’s a practical next step.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It’s a normal part of life and can help us deal with stressful work or life situations. In cases like these, the anxiety resolves fairly rapidly. But what about when the anxiety doesn’t go away? That can be overwhelming and can make it impossible to get through the day.

If worry, tension, and restless sleep keep running your day, you’re not out of options. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to help regulate brain networks involved in anxiety. Many patients use rTMS alongside psychotherapy and their prescriber’s guidance for a comprehensive plan.

What is rTMS for anxiety?

rTMS uses a small coil placed on the scalp to deliver precisely targeted magnetic pulses to brain regions involved in stress and emotion regulation. The goal is to nudge overactive or underactive circuits toward a healthier rhythm, often easing reactivity, worry, and physical tension over time.

What types of anxiety do you treat?

Common presentations we see include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, hard-to-control worry across many areas of life
• Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense surges of fear (panic attacks), chest tightness, shortness of breath
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of judgment or embarrassment in social or performance situations
• Specific Phobias: Marked fear of a particular situation or object (e.g., flying, needles)
• Trauma- and stressor-related symptoms (e.g., PTSD features): Anxiety linked to a past traumatic event
• OCD-related symptoms: Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors (we’ll discuss whether rTMS, psychotherapy, or referral is the best fit)

Your clinician will clarify your diagnosis and tailor a plan, often rTMS alongside psychotherapy, to match your goals.

What are common symptoms of anxiety?

• Restlessness, feeling “on edge,” irritability
• Racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue
• Sleep problems (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• Muscle tension, tight chest, rapid heartbeat, stomach upset
• Shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating (especially during panic)
• Avoidance of people, places, or activities that trigger fear or worry

If symptoms are lasting or interfering with daily life, reach out. If you’re in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call or text 988.

How does rTMS help with anxiety symptoms?

Anxiety can reflect overactive arousal networks and under-engaged regulatory networks. By stimulating targeted areas, rTMS supports neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to strengthen helpful connections), which can make it easier to calm the body, focus the mind, and sleep more soundly.

Who is a good candidate for rTMS?

You may be a fit if you:

• Have ongoing anxiety that hasn’t improved enough with therapy and/or medications
• Prefer a non-invasive, drug-free option
• Can attend frequent sessions over several weeks
  Your clinician will review your history, current medications, and safety considerations.

What roles do psychotherapy and medications play?

We often combine rTMS with psychotherapy, such as CBT, ACT, exposure-based strategies, mindfulness, and skills coaching, to reinforce gains in daily life. Many patients also continue working with their prescribing provider. With your consent, we coordinate care so everything works together.

What about MeRT?

MeRT is a personalized, data-guided form of magnetic stimulation based on your qEEG/EKG. It’s considered investigational and is typically self-pay. If your results suggest you might benefit, we can discuss MeRT as an optional pathway.

What happens during care?

1. First visit: qEEG/EKG
   We complete a quantitative EEG (qEEG) to map brainwaves and an EKG to review heart–brain timing. (We do this for both rTMS and MeRT patients.)
2. Second visit: results & plan
   We explain your findings and outline a plan, usually rTMS plus psychotherapy, tailored to your goals.
3. Two-week treatment blocks
   rTMS sessions typically run five days per week for two weeks, followed by a repeat qEEG/EKG and brief symptom check. If you’re improving, we continue in two-week intervals until you and your clinician are satisfied with progress.

What does an rTMS session feel like?

You’ll sit comfortably while the coil rests against your scalp. Most people feel a light tapping and hear clicking during the pulses. There’s no anesthesia and no downtime; you can drive and return to your day.

Are there side effects or risks?

rTMS is generally well-tolerated. The most common effects are temporary scalp discomfort or a mild headache, which usually lessen with time. Your clinician will review rare risks and answer all questions before you begin.

How soon will I notice changes?

Timelines vary. Some patients first notice shifts in sleep, physical tension, or reactivity, followed by improvements in worry and avoidance over the next few weeks. We track progress with brief questionnaires and repeat qEEG/EKG to guide next steps.

Will insurance cover rTMS for anxiety?

• Depression: rTMS is often insurance-covered when criteria are met.
• Primary anxiety: Coverage is variable (off-label). We’ll verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before you start. We also accept CareCredit for flexible financing.

How do I get started?

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to talk with our New Patient Coordinator about rTMS for anxiety (and how psychotherapy or MeRT may fit your plan). You’re not alone. There’s a calmer way forward, and we’re here to help.

📞 Contact Us today to speak with a member of our team.