What are the side effects?

The side effects of rTMS are less than for medications because rTMS only affects the targeted area of the brain and the scalp over it whereas medication can affect other parts of the body too.  

rTMS commonly causes muscle twitching in the scalp during the session.   

For some people, this leads to a headache which can usually be treated with simple painkillers such as paracetamol. Headache tends to reduce as sessions continue. 

Some people feel tired after treatment. 

There is a small risk of a seizure during rTMS treatment (less than 1 in 10,000). It is possible that this risk may be increased with the accelerated iTBS protocol that we use. Brain injury, alcohol use, sleep deprivation and some medications may also increase the risk of seizure.  

The increased risk of a seizure stops once the magnetic pulses stop, so you will not be at increased risk of seizures once you go home. 

There is also a small risk (less than 1 in 100) of induction of hypomanic or manic symptoms, such as an elevated mood, racing thoughts, irritability and a decreased need for sleep.