What Changes after Starting TMS Therapy?

At a basic level, depression causes changes in a person's mood and behavior. But if you've experienced it, you know that depression isn't simply about feeling "sad"-- all facets of a person's life are impacted. People struggling with treatment-resistant depression who  haven't responded to medications or talk therapy over the course of months and years  can encounter great difficulty with their career, personal goals, and relationships. That's why when depression lifts, a person may experience improvements in their life outside of just their mood. We asked some of our patients what’s changed for them since starting Greenbrook TMS therapy. Here are their answers:

For Josie, 67, TMS therapy helped her rediscover her hobbies and opened her up to a livelier social life. She says “I used to get tremendous pleasure out of reading, but I’d given that up. Now I’m back to reading again. I enjoy those simple pleasures. It’s not like I have to win the lottery to be happy. I just became more active, I went back to my fitness habits.

I remember that I wanted to be with people. By nature I’m an introvert but that sort of changed. I talk to people more often, even strangers. And it was fun! It gave me more fun in my life.”

For Dereck, 51, depression had impacted his sense of self-worth and kept him from seeking out the physical care and mental health support he needed. Since Greenbrook TMS therapy, Dereck says "I’m going to see my doctor about some health issues that I’m having, which normally I wouldn’t care enough about myself to do that. I’m going to depression support groups.

I used to just lie in bed and think about how bad I felt— now on my bad days, I’m able to at least watch TV or go for a walk. That’s something I never used to do before."

Michaela, 30, had been experiencing treatment-resistant depression since she was a young teenager. She felt stalled in her life's trajectory and was having trouble at work. Michaela says that “Since Greenbrook TMS I have gotten a promotion. Pretty much every aspect of my life has gotten better.

My family noticed and especially at work they noticed. Right before I went for TMS, my manager talked to me a few times about my attitude because I was very depressed. I think things would have been a lot harder if I hadn’t gotten TMS.”

Wanda, 47, was able to find things to look forward to, after years of feeling like she was simply existing rather than really living. Wanda says “I’m thinking of the future.

Before TMS, everytime I’d go to see my doctor for a physical I’d feel like, wow, we’re here again because I was surprised that I made it another year. I notice I don’t talk like that anymore.”

Joseph, 81, had been experiencing treatment-resistant depression with insomnia that took a great toll on him, both mentally and physically. Joseph says that "By the time I finished treatment, my sleep had increased to six or seven hours. It was just wonderful. Within a week of completing treatment, I was up to eight hours. The headaches are gone, the result of fatigue has greatly been reduced. 

I’m back to almost a completely normal life. To me, Greenbrook TMS is a miracle."

Samantha, 20, juggles a busy schedule and had difficulty managing her emotions. Since TMS therapy, she's able to better handle school and her job in a stressful environment. Samantha says “I’m in college and I work as a server, and I noticed that at work I still get frustrated but now I handle it better. I used to get frustrated and just walk away, or react badly faster than I should.

My eating habits are better and I don’t have to force myself to eat. I’m motivated to do homework, which I used to never do. I just didn’t care enough and it wasn’t a priority. My anxiety has always been rooted in my depression but I’m able to control it more and it’s not as bad as it used to be. Since TMS, I have more control over how I react to things and my emotions. I used to not care and just react however my depression wanted me to, but now I’m able to control it more.”

Tessa, 23, was finding it difficult to engage in her passions and feel motivated. She says that "A few days into treatment at Greenbrook TMS, I was waking up at six to go to the gym. 

I was walking dogs to make extra money. I wanted to do things. Something as simple as running an errand or making dinner for myself and my family. People were even telling me I seemed a lot happier and a lot different, which is when it really hit me that I was getting better."