Your TMS course week by week: what actually changes and when

A standard TMS course for depression runs 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks — usually 30-36 sessions total. If you're wondering when you'll actually feel different, here's the general shape most people's experience follows. Week 1 is mostly logistical: settling into the routine, mild headaches in the first few days for some, no mood change yet — and that's completely normal. Week 2 is where the earliest signals can show up, most commonly better sleep or a small uptick in energy. Some people also hit a temporary "TMS dip," a brief worsening of symptoms — this affects 15-20% of patients and almost always resolves by week 3 or 4. Week 3 tends to be the inflection point for people who are going to respond: mood lifting in patches, less morning dread, small pleasures returning. Weeks 4 and 5 are about consolidation — functioning returns, sleep stabilizes, decisions get easier. Week 6 wraps the acute course, though many people keep improving for another 4-12 weeks afterward as the brain continues to adjust. Worth knowing: 40-50% of people don't get a strong response to a first course. That's not the end of the road — switching the protocol, the target, or adding medication are all real next steps. https://tmslist.com/blog/tms-week-by-week-timeline/ Where are you in your course right now, and does this timeline match what you're experiencing? If you've finished a course, when did you first notice a change? This is general information, not medical advice.