Why: The Brain Can Get “Stuck”—But It Doesn’t Have to Stay That Way
Nina always prided herself on being strong. But over the past few years, her energy faded. Her thoughts looped into worst-case scenarios. She cried easily, snapped often, and couldn’t shake the fog.
Even though she was already diagnosed with depression and anxiety, nothing seemed to truly help. Her therapist suggested TMS—and it changed everything.
If you’re in a similar place, TMS might offer the breakthrough your brain has been waiting for.
What Is TMS?
TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment for depression—and can also help when anxiety shows up alongside it.
Using magnetic pulses, TMS stimulates underactive parts of the brain—especially the prefrontal cortex, which controls mood and decision-making.
Why it works:
- Non-invasive (no sedation or surgery)
- Drug-free
- Targets the brain’s actual circuitry, not just symptoms ( like waking up the brain cells that are sleepy when a person is depressed.
- Often works when meds or talk therapy haven’t
How it works:
- A small coil is placed on your scalp
- You’ll feel gentle tapping as magnetic pulses activate specific neurons
- Each session lasts 19 minutes
- A full course usually includes 30 sessions over 4–6 weeks
- Most patients return to normal activities immediately after
- Occasionally people feel headache at the site of stimulation that respond to Tylenol most of the time.
What if I’m nervous?
It’s common to feel hesitant. Many patients say they were unsure at first too. But after the first week or two, they began noticing subtle shifts—better sleep, less emotional flooding, and a clearer head.
Coming Next in Part 3: We’ll break down how to get started with TMS—and how to overcome common barriers like cost or fear of change.
