Lacey S. has dealt with chronic, recurring episodes of depression and severe anxiety her entire life. Despite seeing many therapists and psychiatrists in the past, her historical treatment options had not provided the desired results.
During her most recent depressive episode, Lacey felt the usual hopelessness associated with depression, but it was compounded by the frustration of so many failed attempts to treat her most distressing symptoms. Feeling as though she was running out of options, Lacey decided to try transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at Family Care Center, understanding that, statistically, it offered a possibility of improvement.
“I had heard of TMS in the past,” she shared. “But to be honest, my knowledge of it was still fairly limited when it was first recommended to me by my therapy and med management providers at Family Care Center.”
TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain associated with mood regulation. Often used for patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments, TMS offers a chance for meaningful improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety, providing hope for individuals like Lacey.
How provider support and TMS brought renewed hope
“The setup process for TMS went smoothly, and I had all my questions answered thoroughly,” she said. “I really appreciated how the team at Family Care Center took the time to explain the scientific reasons behind TMS’s success for many patients. Although I wasn’t able to feel hopeful at the start, I sensed that trying TMS was a solid decision.”
It meant a lot to Lacey to have her therapist Candice, the physician assistant, TMS care coordinator and TMS technician with her. She shared, “There were so many people involved in my treatment, all invested in providing me with the best care possible. Knowing that others, including complete strangers, believed I could succeed with TMS was powerful.”
Even if she couldn’t yet feel that hope herself, Lacey allowed others to carry that hope for her.
Personalized TMS at Family Care Center helped Lacey stay the course
The TMS process fascinated Lacey; her TMS technician was warm, kind and caring. “Her demeanor made me feel comfortable, and it helped alleviate the high levels of depression and anxiety I had to start,” Lacey said.
Initially, it took some time to see any changes. However, she began to feel determined and encouraged by the Family Care Center TMS team, who continued to hold hope for her. As Lacey’s comfort level with the treatment and her interactions with her technician grew, she began to enjoy the process, even when she wasn’t yet sure if it was making a difference.
About halfway through her treatment, Lacey began feeling like something was wrong because she hadn’t seen significant results. She was open about her concerns, and the TMS care team at Family Care Center validated her feelings, offering reassurance that everyone’s progress was different. Adjustments were made to her treatment during TMS remapping, reinforcing that her care was tailored specifically to her needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Lacey continued attending her TMS treatments, developing a strong bond with her technician. “She consistently checked in on my feelings, listening to my concerns and offering to relay them to others or seek answers,” Lacey said. “This ongoing support and the accuracy when administering each TMS treatment were calming forces for me.”
Finding light in the darkness
Near the end of her TMS journey, Lacey finally began noticing some shifts. The despair felt less overwhelming, and emotions started to return after a long period of numbness—even if they weren’t all positive. With three weeks left, she experienced a low mood dip, feeling discouraged that the improvements were smaller than she’d hoped.
Then, something changed. Like lights turning on in a dark house, Lacey began to feel hope. Things felt lighter, and her fears started to diminish. She noticed fewer overwhelming feelings and increased resilience in handling difficulties. By her last week of treatment, Lacey felt vastly different than when she’d started TMS. Her confidence, physical energy and mental clarity had improved significantly, even reducing some of the pain from her fibromyalgia. Her anxiety was less consuming, and she felt less triggered by stress.
How TMS empowered Lacey to embrace life again
After completing her treatments, the improvements continued. Within another month, Lacey was shocked by the change in her depression and anxiety scores. They had stayed severe for most of her TMS treatment but had dramatically improved by the end, continuing to progress in the weeks that followed.
Now, nearly six months post-treatment, Lacey is amazed at how well TMS has worked for her. “It has restored my resilience and given me a level of confidence that I’ve never experienced before,” she shared. Thanks to TMS, Lacey now feels equipped to face stress, pain, uncertainty and fear without letting it consume her.
Lacey’s friends and family have also commented on how happy she seems, noting that they haven’t seen her this way in years. They’ve shared that she seems more comfortable within herself, and while her struggles remain, they no longer have the same hold on her.
“Sadness and negative spirals are temporary, easier to manage and far less daunting. For the first time in years, I don’t dread life. I feel grateful to be alive and proud of my growth.”
Lacey S., Family Care Center TMS patient
The hope her Family Care Center team held for her during treatment is now something Lacey feels deeply for herself. Despite her initial skepticism, TMS changed her life completely. “I am profoundly grateful to the team at Family Care Center for believing in me, for their commitment to a high-quality treatment program and for holding onto hope when I needed it most,” she said. “It means everything to me.”
Lacey’s message to individuals considering TMS
When asked what advice she would give others who may be skeptical about TMS, Lacey shared, “If you could find hope, rebuild resilience, get relief from some of your most difficult mental health symptoms, and feel emotionally lighter simply by spending a few minutes a day in a chair, would it be worth it to you?”
She also reminds others that if you’re feeling doubtful about TMS, she’s been there. “I didn’t think it would work for me because I had treatment-resistant depression for years, and I’ve had so many failed medication trials,” Lacey said. “But TMS is very different from medication. While it took time, the results for me were leagues beyond what I’ve experienced with any medication. It not only gave me my life back, it enhanced my life.”
Lacey shares she is in the best spot she’s ever been in mentally and emotionally right now because of TMS. “I still deal with difficult things, but I have the tools and the resilience needed to deal with those things in healthy ways,” she said. “I would strongly recommend getting started with TMS as soon as possible to anyone who needs relief and is ready to complete the full treatment. Even if it takes time to see results, stick with it and keep communication open with your TMS team. The possible results are entirely worth the time investment and the wait.”
