How I Rediscovered “Active Living” after NeuroStar TMS Treatments
Andrew G, NeuroStar Patient Advocate
Denver, CO
Living with Depression for Years
For more than 10 years, I struggled with depression.
Like many people, I tried antidepressant medications. While they helped at times, the results weren’t always consistent. I learned how to function and keep moving through life, but I often felt disconnected from the things that once brought me joy.
Ironically, I first learned about NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy through my job. As I became more familiar with the treatment, I started reading the research and hearing directly from patients who had completed TMS.
What stood out to me wasn’t just the clinical data—it was the people. They were ordinary individuals dealing with depression, just like me, and many described feeling like they had gotten their lives back. Hearing those stories gave me the confidence to explore TMS for myself.
What TMS Treatment Was Actually Like
One of the biggest questions I had before starting treatment was: “What does TMS feel like?”
The answer was surprisingly simple.
Before my first treatment, my provider completed a mapping process to determine the precise treatment location for me. Once treatment began, the sensation felt like a light tapping on my head. It wasn’t painful or uncomfortable.
Each NeuroStar TMS session lasted about 20 minutes. During treatment, I would chat with my provider, listen to music, or watch television. The time went by quickly.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how flexible the treatment team was when it came to scheduling. While 36 treatment sessions can sound intimidating at first, my providers worked with me to find appointment times that fit my routine.
My improvement wasn’t dramatic or immediate. Instead, it happened gradually.
About halfway through treatment, I noticed I had a little more energy and found it easier to participate in activities that had previously felt exhausting. But my biggest realization came a few weeks after I completed treatment.
I was sitting on the floor playing with my cats when I suddenly noticed something different.
The moment felt lighter. Easier. More enjoyable.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t forcing myself through the day. The small joys that depression had dulled were beginning to return.
From Existing to Living Again
Before TMS, I had become very good at simply getting through each day.
After treatment, I found myself wanting to engage with life again.
I started reading more, trying new recipes, exercising, journaling, and reaching out to family and friends. Social events that once felt overwhelming became things I genuinely looked forward to.
Since completing NeuroStar TMS therapy, I’ve moved to a new city, advanced in my career, and become more willing to embrace new opportunities.
The best way I can describe the experience is this: TMS helped me move from simply existing to actively living.
If you’re struggling with depression and wondering whether TMS might help, my advice is simple—ask questions, learn about the treatment, and keep an open mind. Taking that first step changed my life.
