March 31st, 2022
Transcript:
Do you suffer from depression?
I would say since puberty, I’ve had low grade depression. I’ve felt my feelings really heavily.
How does depression affect your life and your relationships?
I was sinking further and further, so all my relationships, including with my kids and my significant other, suffered. They could see I had this beautiful life, and I couldn’t see it.
Has antidepressant medication helped?
I don’t think my problem will work with medication, because I’ve always been on a low dose.
What have you learned about the brain’s reaction to depression?
The prefrontal cortex of my brain likely wasn’t turned on and that’s the part that’s responsible for rationalizing, choosing, deciding, and making sense of things. It wasn’t on.
How did your brain’s malfunctions manifest in your day to day life?
I was not able to regulate my emotions at all. I was all emotional and couldn’t really get to the rational part of my brain. It was a lot of sadness and fear and it was really dark.
What would you say to people who are suffering like you were?
You can decide to overcome this. You don’t have to believe those feelings.
How would you describe TMS depression treatment?
You put on a helmet on your head. It’s magnetic pulses over here to kind of wake up your brain. It does not hurt.
How did TMS work for you?
You begin to see yourself change after a few 20 minute sessions. You begin to feel like there’s hope and that you’re going to come back like you’re going to get yourself back.
What is life like now after TMS?
My love for learning is back. I’m taking all these classes. My brain is working and thinking and growing. I’m proud of it. I like myself again. I love myself. I treat myself well.
What would you tell someone who is suffering from depression?
It is OK. There are people who have answers and things you can try that you can’t even imagine. I would say, ask for help. Try TMS. Set the intention that it will work for you. Look for it to get one percent better every day. That’s it. Just one percent. How can it be one percent better. Try it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
– S.S.
"I feel the Parks have a special way of treating patients that I am not used to. I have made significant progress since starting. I feel they really care and are willing to think outside of the box to help someone. I wish more providers were like them. I think more people would get better."