After going through a painful divorce in 2019, I felt like I completely lost myself. I became isolated, developed social anxiety, and started avoiding emotional closeness with people. I pulled away whenever I felt like someone was getting too close. But in the middle of all that mess, I met someone amazing who was going through a divorce too. We supported each other, became close friends, and—unexpectedly—fell in love.
A couple years later, things took a turn when my ex took me back to court for more child support. That’s when everything started spiraling. My depression and anxiety worsened dramatically. I tried multiple medications, hoping for relief, but instead, I got worse—some made me suicidal, others left me bedridden, numb, or stuck in a dark, hopeless place. I even had serotonin syndrome at one point and ended up in urgent care and the ER. It felt like my life was on a rollercoaster, and every new medication came with more risk than relief. I even tried gene testing to find the right meds—it didn’t help.
Then one day, I got an email from Gladstone Psychiatry about TMS therapy for depression and OCD, and I figured—what do I have to lose? I didn’t know what TMS was, but I was desperate. I reached out, went through the pre-screening, and was told I qualified. It would be five days a week for six weeks—but I was ready. I just wanted to feel normal again.
From the very first week of treatment, I started noticing changes. I felt a little lighter. My brain fog started lifting. I also have ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), which has deeply affected my relationship—but even that started to feel more manageable.
And I need to give special thanks to Lesa, my TMS technician. She went way beyond the clinical side of her job. She didn’t just record my mood scores—she listened. She truly cared. Every session, she made me feel safe, seen, and supported—like a friend, not just a patient. Akeera was just as welcoming and kind. That human connection meant everything, especially on the hard days when I was still dealing with heavy personal stress.
Even during tough moments in my personal life, my TMS progress kept climbing. My mood improved. My thinking became clearer. I stopped overthinking everything. I felt like I was regaining confidence, gaining control over my emotions, and reconnecting with myself. Even coworkers noticed the shift in me. I was no longer being dragged down by the weight of my mind. I was finally standing up for myself, thinking clearly, and—for the first time in years—functioning.
Now that my treatment is done, I can say without hesitation: TMS at Gladstone Psychiatry changed my life. Things that used to make me spiral don’t anymore. I’m calmer. More present. I feel hope again—real, solid hope. And that all started with replying to one email.
If you’re struggling, especially if medications haven’t worked for you, please reach out to Gladstone located in Mount Washington Center. TMS gave me my life back—and I’ll always be grateful to Lesa and the team for helping me through when I truly thought nothing could.
Thank you for giving me hope again.
