TMS Quiz: Is TMS Right for You?

Tried antidepressants without the relief you hoped for? This TMS quiz gives you a quick, judgment-free read on whether you may be a candidate for TMS therapy and what to do next.

What Does the TMS Quiz Measure?

The TMS quiz measures whether your symptoms and treatment history match the criteria for TMS therapy. It checks how long you have had depression, which treatments you have tried, and how well they worked. The result is a screening snapshot, not a diagnosis, and it shows whether a TMS consultation is a reasonable next step.

The quiz takes about 2 minutes and stays private. You answer a few short questions, then receive a plain-language summary with a suggested action.

Who Is a Good Candidate for TMS Therapy?

A good candidate for TMS therapy is an adult whose depression has not improved after trying medication. TMS is most often recommended when antidepressants fall short or cause side effects that are hard to tolerate. You may be a candidate if two or more of these apply:

• You have had depression for 2 months or longer
• You have tried one or more antidepressants without full relief
• Medication side effects are limiting your daily life
• You want a drug-free option that is not ECT
• You have been told you have treatment-resistant depression

What Is TMS Therapy?

TMS therapy is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain regions tied to mood. Lakeside Behavioral Health uses Brainsway deep TMS, which reaches deeper structures than standard coils. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, and a full course runs 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

TMS does not require anesthesia, sedation, or downtime. Most people drive themselves to and from each appointment. In studies of deep TMS for depression, up to 1 in 2 patients reach remission after a full course, and about 75 percent see a meaningful response.

What Conditions Can TMS Treat?

TMS treats four main conditions when first-line care has not worked: depression, treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and anxious depression. Many patients arrive after standard depression treatment has plateaued.

Lakeside pairs TMS with other care when helpful, including outpatient psychiatry for medication management and individual therapy for skills and support.

When Is It Time to Consider TMS?

It is time to consider TMS when depression persists despite a fair trial of medication. A fair trial usually means 6 weeks at an adequate dose. Three signs it may be time:

1. Two or more antidepressants have not worked
2. Symptoms keep returning after brief improvements
3. Side effects make medication hard to continue

How Accurate Is an Online TMS Quiz?

An online TMS quiz is accurate as a screening step, not as medical clearance. It flags whether your history fits common TMS criteria, but only a provider can confirm candidacy. A Lakeside psychiatrist reviews your records, symptoms, and goals before approving TMS for depression.

Is the TMS Quiz Free and Confidential?

Yes. The Lakeside TMS quiz is free, and your answers stay confidential. No email or account is required to see your result, and we do not sell quiz responses. You decide whether to take the next step.

What Happens After You Take the TMS Quiz?

After you take the TMS quiz, you receive a summary and a clear next step. You can call 314-916-3027 or request a consultation, and our staff verifies your insurance before the first visit. Most major plans cover TMS for qualifying patients. TMS is available at our St. Louis, MO and O'Fallon, IL locations.

This quiz is not a diagnosis or a crisis service. If you are in danger or thinking about suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline right now.