OCD Treatment with TMS Therapy | Empower Psychiatry & Sleep Atlanta

“I’m so OCD about keeping my desk organized!”

You’ve probably heard someone say this—or maybe you’ve said it yourself. But Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is far more than a preference for neatness or order. It’s a debilitating mental health condition that affects approximately 1 in 40 adults in the United States, and for many sufferers, it can make everyday life feel impossible.

At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC in Suwanee, Georgia (with a new Cumming location opening soon), we specialize in treating OCD with evidence-based approaches, including an FDA-approved, medication-free treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

If you’re struggling with unwanted thoughts that won’t go away and rituals you can’t resist, there is hope—and it doesn’t have to involve years of trial-and-error with medications.

What Is OCD, Really?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves two main components:

Obsessions: Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. These are not things you want to think about—they’re thoughts that invade your mind against your will.

Common obsessions include:

Fear of contamination or germs
Disturbing thoughts about harming yourself or others (even though you’d never act on them)
Excessive concern with order, symmetry, or exactness
Religious or moral obsessions (scrupulosity)
Fear of losing control or “going crazy”

Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions or to prevent a feared outcome.

Common compulsions include:

Excessive hand washing or cleaning
Checking locks, appliances, or switches repeatedly
Counting, tapping, or repeating words silently
Arranging objects in a specific way
Seeking reassurance from others constantly
Mental rituals like praying or reviewing events

Here’s what many people don’t understand: people with OCD know their thoughts and behaviors are irrational. But the anxiety is so overwhelming that they feel compelled to perform rituals anyway, even when it interferes with work, relationships, and quality of life.

OCD Is Not a Personality Quirk—It’s a Brain Disorder

OCD is a neurobiological condition involving specific circuits in the brain, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and striatum. These regions are responsible for error detection, decision-making, and habit formation.

In people with OCD, these circuits become “stuck,” sending false alarm signals that something is wrong and needs to be fixed—even when there’s no real threat. This is why reassurance and logic don’t work. The problem isn’t in your thinking; it’s in the brain circuitry that processes threat and safety.

Why Medication Alone Often Isn’t Enough

The first-line treatment for OCD typically involves:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Medications like fluoxetine, sertraline, or fluvoxamine, often at higher doses than used for depression

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy: A specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy where patients gradually face their fears without performing compulsions

While these treatments help many people, studies show that about 40-60% of individuals with OCD don’t achieve adequate relief with medication and therapy alone. And even when medications help, side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue can be difficult to tolerate.

This is where TMS comes in.

How TMS Treats OCD

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic pulses to modulate activity in the specific brain circuits involved in OCD.

At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC, we use BrainsWay Deep TMS (dTMS), which targets deeper brain structures than traditional TMS. The system delivers magnetic pulses to the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex—the exact regions implicated in OCD.

Here’s what makes TMS for OCD different:

✓ Targets the Root Cause: Instead of altering brain chemistry throughout your entire body (like medication), TMS directly modulates the overactive circuits causing OCD symptoms.

✓ No Medication Side Effects: TMS doesn’t cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or cognitive dulling.

✓ Clinically Proven: Studies show that about 40-50% of people with OCD experience significant symptom reduction with TMS, with many achieving lasting relief.

✓ Outpatient and Non-Invasive: Each session takes about 20 minutes in our office. You’re awake, alert, and can drive yourself home afterward.

What to Expect During TMS Treatment for OCD

A typical TMS course for OCD consists of daily sessions (Monday through Friday) for 6 weeks.

During each session:

You sit comfortably while a specialized TMS helmet is positioned on your head
Magnetic pulses are delivered to targeted brain regions
You may feel a tapping sensation on your scalp, but it’s not painful
You can read, listen to music, or relax during the 20-minute session
Afterward, you immediately resume normal activities

Most patients begin noticing reduced anxiety and fewer compulsions after 2-3 weeks, with continued improvement throughout treatment.

Who Is a Good Candidate for TMS for OCD?

TMS may be right for you if:

You’ve been diagnosed with OCD
You’ve tried at least one SSRI without adequate relief
You can’t tolerate medication side effects
You want a non-medication treatment option
OCD is significantly interfering with your daily life

TMS for OCD is FDA-approved and covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare.

Beyond TMS: Comprehensive OCD Care

While TMS is highly effective, we believe in a comprehensive approach to OCD treatment. Dr. Ravi Singareddy, our board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience and affiliation with the Emory Healthcare Network, will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan.

This may include:

TMS therapy
Medication optimization (if needed)
Coordination with ERP therapists
Treatment for co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety
Sleep optimization (OCD often disrupts sleep, which worsens symptoms)

Our practice also recognizes that OCD frequently co-occurs with other conditions, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and substance use disorders. We provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for all of these.

You’re Not Alone—and You’re Not “Crazy”

Living with OCD can feel incredibly isolating. Many people with OCD are ashamed of their intrusive thoughts and hide their compulsions from loved ones. But OCD is a medical condition—not a character flaw, and not something you can just “stop thinking about.”

The good news? With the right treatment, OCD is highly manageable. Many people experience dramatic improvements that allow them to reclaim their lives, relationships, and peace of mind.

Schedule Your Confidential Consultation Today

If OCD is controlling your life, it’s time to explore proven treatments that work.

At Empower Psychiatry & Sleep LLC, we’ve helped countless individuals in the Greater Atlanta area find relief from OCD through TMS and comprehensive psychiatric care.

Call (770) 615-0226 or visit www.AtlantaTMS.Clinic to learn more.

We accept most major commercial insurance plans and Medicare, and we offer convenient appointment times, including Saturdays.

Now Accepting New Patients

Living with OCD Isn’t Just About Being Neat—Here’s What Real OCD Looks Like and How TMS Can Help