Anxiety treatment that starts with a look at the brain
Persistent anxiety shows up in the brain’s rhythms as well as in racing thoughts and a tight chest. We map those rhythms with a qEEG and use them to guide TMS and therapy, for people who haven’t found enough relief from medication or counseling alone.
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Anxiety that hasn’t let go
Therapy and medication help most people with anxiety. If you’ve given both a fair try and your body still won’t stand down, with the racing thoughts at 3 a.m., the tight chest and the constant scanning for what might go wrong, it’s reasonable to ask what else is possible.
We start by looking at the brain itself.
What anxiety can look like on a brain map
On a qEEG, chronic anxiety often shows up as more fast beta activity than expected and less of the calmer alpha rhythm: the picture of a brain that has trouble downshifting. Other people show a different pattern entirely, which is exactly why we measure before we treat.
The map doesn’t diagnose an anxiety disorder. It tells us which rhythms and regions to work on and gives us a baseline to compare against later.
How TMS is used for anxiety
For anxiety, clinicians most often use slow, calming stimulation over the right prefrontal cortex. When depression is part of the picture, TMS usually targets the left side, and anxiety tends to improve along with mood.
Your plan is set from your map, your symptoms and your history, and adjusted when we repeat the map during care.
What the research says
The strongest evidence is for anxiety that travels with depression. The FDA has cleared TMS systems for reducing anxiety symptoms in adults with major depression, sometimes called anxious depression.
For anxiety disorders on their own, TMS is off-label. Small sham-controlled trials in generalized anxiety disorder have reported meaningful improvement,1 but they are small, and larger studies are still needed. We’ll tell you at your consultation which situation applies to you.
Therapy is part of the plan
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, remains the best-studied treatment for anxiety. We think of TMS as an addition to it. Psychotherapy is available at our clinic, and if you already have a therapist you trust, we’ll work alongside them.
Side effects and safety
TMS has been used in clinics since 2008. The common side effects are mild: scalp discomfort where the coil rests, a headache, or tiredness after a session. They usually ease within the first week or two.
Seizures are rare. TMS isn’t suitable for people with metal or an implanted device in or near the head, such as an aneurysm clip or a cochlear implant. Dental fillings and braces are fine. We review your full history before recommending treatment.
Sources
- Diefenbach GJ, et al. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for generalised anxiety disorder: a pilot randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2016.
Last updated October 2026.
Questions about anxiety treatment
Is TMS FDA-cleared for anxiety?
Partly. Some TMS systems are cleared for reducing anxiety symptoms in adults who also have major depression. For generalized anxiety, panic or social anxiety without depression, TMS is an off-label use. We’ll be clear with you about which applies.
Can TMS make anxiety worse?
Some people feel more keyed up for a short time early in treatment. Tell us if that happens. We can adjust the settings, and it usually settles.
Do I have to stop my medication?
No. Most people continue their medication during TMS. Any changes should go through your prescriber, and we’ll coordinate with them.
How is this different from neurofeedback?
Both can start from a qEEG. Neurofeedback trains you to change your own brainwaves through practice over many sessions. TMS stimulates the brain directly with magnetic pulses.
Will insurance cover it?
Coverage is most likely when anxiety comes with a diagnosis of major depression. We verify your benefits before treatment (we work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Aetna) and explain self-pay options if something isn’t covered.
Anxiety care for Chicago and the suburbs
Our one clinic is in Lombard, a short drive from most of DuPage County and reachable from Chicago and the south suburbs by I-88, I-355 and I-294.
Call our office
We’ll answer your questions, check your insurance benefits and help you decide whether a brain map is the right next step. Our team answers the phone during clinic hours.
Prefer to write? Request a consultation or verify your insurance.