What you might not realize is that although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is used to treat many mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, some people have the opposite effect. When hundreds think of TMS as a miracle cure, my experience was the complete opposite. It was intended to support me, but instead it made my life very complicated and much harder to navigate. Many individuals ultimately grapple with the realization that TMS, while promising, does not work for everyone; this revelation can evoke a sentiment of despair that, in some cases, reinforces the feeling that “tms ruined my life.
In this post, I’m going to tell you about my TMS experience, how it made my life better and how it did not, and why I think it might not be the absolute miracle that everyone makes it out to be. If you’re considering TMS, then it may be good to know its potential risks and side effects before you decide.
What is TMS Therapy?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an improvement procedure that uses magnetic pulses to inspire areas of attention supposed to regulate mood. It is primarily used for patients who struggle with depression, nervousness, and other mental health disorders when old-style treatments such as medicine or talk therapy have proven ineffective. It’s a relatively straightforward procedure, requiring a magnetic coil to be placed on the scalp to send pulses through to the brain. For some, this treatment does wonders, easing the symptoms of depression and giving them clarity in their brain. For others, including me, the results are less clear, and the therapy could even make matters worse. Although the treatment seems simple and effective, it’s worth noting that it’s not for everyone, and there are risks involved.
My Reason to Pursue TMS Therapy
I was extremely desperate when I opted for TMS. I had suffered from anxiety and depression for years, and none of the treatments or medications I tried worked much. The continual tweaking of medications meant that I was constantly exhausted, and somehow never arrived at a solution. I had heard that TMS was an effective alternative to medication, and so when my doctor recommended that I try it, I saw a glimmer of hope in it for me. I hoped that perhaps this new treatment would hold the answers to a brighter, more manageable future. The idea of a painless, short-duration treatment with fewer side effects looked too good to be true.”
The First Sessions: Wishful Thinking
The First Sessions: Wishing for a Miracle
- Optimism on improvement initially
- Simple procedure with a magnetic coil over the head
- Coil pulses to stimulate the brain
- Anticipated outcomes after several weeks of sessions
- Multiple sessions with hope that things will change
The Discomfort Sets In
- Progressive flaring up after multiple session
- New, odd symptoms emerged
- Temporary discomfort became chronic
- There was no improvement in symptoms.
Growing Frustration
- Frustration mounted due to the lack of anticipated progress
- Question marks regarding the treatment efficacy
- Unsure whether it is the right time to terminate the sessions
- Trouble accepting that things weren’t getting better as we had hoped
Seeking Alternative Solutions
- Opting for different treatments
- Working with healthcare professionals about alternative methods
- Seeking solutions for the new symptoms and discomfort
- Looking for a way to recover that would help
The Side Effects That Upended Everything
As I worked through the TMS sessions, the side effects became a detriment that drowned out the potential benefits. Initially, it was a mild headache after the session, “completely normal,” I was told. But it didn’t go away. The headaches became a nagging ache that I couldn’t seem to shake. It was always there in the background no matter what I did, and I was becoming increasingly exhausted.” I wanted to curl up and never get out of bed. I was sleeping more hours, but I wasn’t able to rid myself of the fatigue. The experience of undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was not as I had hoped. Instead of providing relief, TMS ruined my life in many ways.
But the worst part was the way I became emotionally numb. I couldn’t connect with anyone anymore. Not even myself. I was so separated from my surroundings. I had no passion for anything, no joy, no feeling of purpose. Things that I used to love, such as spending time with my family or doing my hobby, were never enough; they felt hollow. I was walking through life in a fog. Every aspect of my life was dominated by emotional numbness, and the idea that this feeling might never end began to creep into my mind.
Post Treatment: Life Was Tougher Than Ever
Also, after my last TMS session, I would expect I should feel an inkling of relief or at least a niggle of my mood improving. But I was faced with the grim truth that the treatment had merely made the situation worse. And I didn’t feel better, or even the same. I felt worse. My depression felt like it was thickening, and my anxiety only grew. The emotional stupor that had begun during the sessions didn’t fade. It felt like it was increasing. Now I was facing chronic fatigue, loss of motivation, and worsening depression.
It was as if my mind had been overstimulated, and it didn’t know how to function normally again. Instead of energized, hopeful, and inspired, I felt exhausted, physically and emotionally. I started to wonder if I’d made a big mistake in choosing TMS therapy in the first place. I wondered how long it would take to return to normal or if I ever would. that “TMS ruined my life.” What began as a method to find relief ultimately obscured my path to restoration, forcing me to reassess the value of a treatment that I once believed would bring enlightenment and balance back into my daily existence.
TMS: The Emotional and Physical Cost
What I never anticipated was the profound impact TMS therapy would have on me physically and emotionally. It left me not only more depressed than I had ever been but feeling like an estranged specter in my life. ” It felt like I didn’t even know who I was anymore. The constant headaches and fatigue, along with the emotional numbness, drained every last bit of energy I had. I felt like I could no longer bring myself to feel genuinely happy or excited about anything. ” Every day was a fight, and the light at the end of the tunnel was always getting farther and farther away.
I also realized that I was losing touch with people. It didn’t matter if it was friends, family, or coworkers—I wasn’t able to truly connect with them in any real way. I didn’t experience the joy of enjoying time with my loved ones, and the interactions felt flat and remote. It was like I was simply going through the motions and not really living life.
Framing an Exit: Seeking Alternative Options
After several months of side effects and more symptoms, I knew I couldn’t continue on this path. I started to realize that TMS was not going to cure me and that I could not sit idly by waiting for things to get better. I began to look at other approaches to my mental health recovery. I went back to traditional therapy, and I also started adding mindfulness practices, like meditation and yoga, to my daily routine. Gradually, I began to notice small shifts in my emotional condition. It wasn’t a magical cure, but it was progress, and it was the kind of progress I could feel.
I also resolved to take better care of my body by eating well, getting more exercise, and sleeping better. It was challenging, but I was committed to healing. I also discovered support from others who struggled with TMS therapy. There, connecting with them made me feel less alone and more hopeful about the path ahead toward recovery. As time passed, I did find a way to submit to the universe, and I did eventually feel more like the person I was a post-cardiac arrest, but it most certainly was a long and arduous journey.
Everything to Know Before Attempting TMS Therapy
But while TMS therapy works in many people, it’s important to understand that it doesn’t work for everyone. For me, it was a traumatic experience that put me in a place where I was much worse off than before. If you’re thinking about TMS, be sure to understand all the potential risks and side effects, as well as the chance that the treatment won’t be successful for you. Have an open, honest discussion with your doctor about what to expect and whether there are other options you should try first. Go into it open-minded; don’t expect it to be a miracle cure; be prepared for everything.
Conclusion
In the end, TMS therapy was not going to be the magic bullet I was hoping for. It didn’t help me get over my depression; it made me feel more disconnected and hopeless. That may work for others, but it didn’t work for me. I do wish I’d observed other choices more before conclusive to give it a try. If you are dealing with despair or nervousness,. It’s crucial to consider your treatment options. Mental health recovery is a different journey, and while something may work for one person. It may not work for another. The phrase “TMS ruined my life” may resonate with many who have faced unexpected complications or no improvements at all. Through sharing these stories, we can foster a more informed dialogue about mental health treatments.
So, take the time to research and know all the treatment options you have. Recovery can happen, but it doesn’t always happen in the way we expect. I found healing not through TMS but rather through traditional therapy when paired with mindfulness and self-care routines. TMS was no cakewalk, but at the end of it I learned a lot, and I am now stronger and more in control of my mental health than I have ever been.
