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Consultant Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist
MBBS — University of Health Sciences (UHS); MD Psychiatry — King Edward Medical University (KEMU); MPH — Institute of Public Health (IPH); UNODC Certified Addiction Specialist; International Certification of Addiction Professionals (ICAP-P); Formal training/fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry — King Edward Medical University, Lahore
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For people who've tried one or more antidepressants without enough improvement, the next step isn't always "try another pill." Exomind, a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), is a non-invasive option that works differently from medication — and it's worth understanding before assuming you've run out of options.
How it actually works. rTMS uses targeted magnetic pulses, delivered through a coil placed against the scalp, to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It doesn't involve surgery, anaesthesia, or sedation, and it doesn't carry the systemic side effects associated with many medications, since it acts locally rather than throughout the body.
Who it's typically considered for. rTMS is most often recommended for adults with depression that hasn't responded adequately to standard treatment — usually after one or more antidepressant trials combined with therapy haven't produced enough improvement. It isn't usually a first-line treatment; it's a structured option for when the first-line approach hasn't been enough.
What a session actually involves. Sessions are outpatient, typically lasting around 20–40 minutes, and a full course usually involves multiple sessions per week over several weeks. Most people can return to normal activities immediately afterward — there's no recovery time the way there would be after a procedure requiring sedation.
What it feels like. During treatment, you may feel a tapping sensation on the scalp and hear a clicking sound from the coil. It's an alert, awake experience throughout — you're not put under, and you can talk with the clinical team during the session if needed.
Realistic expectations matter. Like any treatment, rTMS doesn't work identically for everyone, and it's usually most effective as part of a broader treatment plan that may still include therapy or medication. Response is typically assessed gradually over the course of treatment rather than after a single session.
If antidepressants haven't worked as well as you'd hoped, or if side effects have made medication difficult to continue, it's worth discussing whether Exomind is an appropriate option in your specific case — a proper assessment is the only way to know if it fits your situation.
About the author
Consultant Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist
MBBS — University of Health Sciences (UHS); MD Psychiatry — King Edward Medical University (KEMU); MPH — Institute of Public Health (IPH); UNODC Certified Addiction Specialist; International Certification of Addiction Professionals (ICAP-P); Formal training/fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry — King Edward Medical University, Lahore
King Edward Medical University (KEMU) & Mayo Hospital, Lahore
clinical interests
Adult Psychiatry; Addiction Psychiatry & Rehabilitation; Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychotherapy & Psychological Interventions; Psychiatric Assessment & Consultation
training
Formal training/fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University, Lahore
memberships
Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC); Pakistan Psychiatric Society (PPS); International Certification of Addiction Professionals (ICAP)
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Zafar, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry) Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University (KEMU), Lahore
