I was persuaded by a confounded doctor to undergo ECT. This was the worst choice I have ever made. My boyfriend along with best friends of mine for twenty years tried to convince me that this was not a choice I would make.

But I was in a lock-down unit, my third time there for what I now view as a short time, (less than a couple of months). But this was before I was on SSDI for my mental health issues.

I was so crushingly debilitated, that I took joy from the guy who was going to knock me out. He was handsome, with a fabulous smile. He’d hold up the promising needle and say “Small prick.” How fabulous is that?

No man will ever utter those words with a smile. But they ignored my trammeled wrists. My amusement was compounded by the irony of a needle going into my hand, because my arms were so scarred. And the fact that several times a week, I was sent into a head-over-heels oblivian.

I’m doing well right now. I can’t remember 2000-2003, but hey, who wants to remember 9/11? Oddly enough, me. My brain is a Rip Van Winkle. I had to do a lot of work to get it back. But I digress.

I’ve been reading about TMS studies at Penn for some time now. Partly for selfish reasons, but mostly that I have a friend who’s depression is so freaky, I believe Oliver Sacks would be interested. So, I’ve recommended TMS to him. Too bad it isn’t available yet.

TMS has been available just across the border since 2000. I work at a clinic that has provided TMS therapy to over 600 patients and our response rate is 68.2%. We treat patients for depression, anxiety, migraines, OCD, among other disease states.

We have recently opened two more clinics. One in Ottawa and one in Toronto as the demand for TMS is rapidly growing.

It is amazing to see the changes that this treatment makes in so many lives.

I’ve been following the research on TMS with great interest.

I’m a patient who has had much success with neurofeedback, particularly the LENS method developed by Ochs labs. I think that TMS and other therapies that actually work achieve similar results because they effect a change in brainwave frequency, particularly predominating low frequency activity ( theta and delta) in the front of the brain.

I am quite enraged that the medical establishment has systematically ignored therapies like TMS that often work better for severe cases like myself. I have been told for years that I need to ” stay on drugs for most of my life” when staying on drugs actually left me minimized in my potential. Before my course of drug therapy I was able to complete college and function marginally well. After being “treated” I floundered for 10 years.. unable to hold down a job or function. Now thanks to a therapy that actually helps the brain regulate low frequency activity, I have people tell me ” wow, I never knew you were such a capable person and a hard worker”. Gosh, thanks, I didn’t know either.. because for years, my family and friends have been wondering why I was so ” lazy”, why I had constant chronic pain, and why I had to sleep 10 hours a day. ”

I applaud that TMS has finally been allowed to see the light of day. I encourage anyone who is searching to look therapies that regulate brainwave frequency as opposed to targeting neurotransmitters.

Don’t just take my advice, dear reader. I’m certifiably mentally ill.

Please go out and do your own research and try things that work, with a clinician who is well informed and who isn’t afraid to question the morality of powerful drug lobbies in this country.

If you are on meds, find someone who is qualified to supervise tapering you off your dosage if need be. As therapies like TMS and neurofeedback are relatively new, you will want to find the most experienced clinician that you can because coming off the FDA approved drugs IS very risky for many patients.

Hi,
I have a family member that is battling severe depression. I am interested in finding out what/where this procedure is given.

Thanks,
Rhonda

Where in the United States is this therapy administered? I live in Florida…are there any clinics or hospitals in the southeast (Florida, Alabama, & Georgia) where they practice this? I have been diagnosed for quite a while with manic-depression.

Thanks,
Robb

Rhonda, Robb, & others wanting to know where/whether TMS treatment is available: Neuronetics, the company that makes the approved machine, has a website at http://www.neurostartms.com/. That page has a link to a form where you can request info on treatment availability. (The form generated an error for me just now; if it doesn’t work, we can always try to reach the company other ways.)

A relative of mine has been on depression meds for more than 10 years and under the care of a psychiatrist nothing seems to be helping. She stays in the bed all day and don’t socialize in anyway. She is 70yrs all. Is it possible you can send some literature as well as a phone number were we can contact you.

Thank you for answering