Everything You Need to Know About TMS Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, & PTSD | My Experience 1 Year Later
One year after starting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, this is my honest TMS experience. I tried TMS therapy for my chronic, treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, and PTSD, and it completely changed my life. This controversial depression treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but after hitting rock bottom last summer, completing 52 total treatments by October, and returning for maintenance sessions in February, it gave me my life back. In this episode, I’m answering common TMS therapy questions, sharing my raw week-by-week PHQ-9 scores so you can see the real ups and downs of my mental health recovery, and discussing whether TMS is worth it. If you’ve ever wondered if TMS therapy works for severe anxiety or trauma recovery, I hope sharing my journey brings you clarity and hope.
📱 Connect With Me & Ask Questions:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitaker (Best place to DM me with your questions!)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessica_whitaker
⚠️ Before we dive in: nothing about this episode is sponsored. My insurance covered my treatment, and I am only sharing this because it radically changed my life after 15 years of struggling. That being said, mental health is deeply personal; TMS therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Just because it worked for me does not guarantee it will look the same for you. I am not a doctor. Please do your own research and talk to a professional, like your doctor or psychiatrist, to see what is right for you.
📍 Resources Mentioned:
Where I Went for Treatment: Eastside TMS in Renton, WA (greater Seattle area) → https://www.eastsidetmswellness.com/
The Machine Used for My Treatment: Magstim → https://www.magstim.com/
Episode Chapters:
0:00 - Podcast Intro
1:15 - Welcome & My Honest Review of TMS Therapy
2:45 - My Mental Health Journey: Living with Chronic Depression, Severe Anxiety, & PTSD
3:33 - What is TMS Therapy? (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Explained)
4:19 - The Magstim Machine Used for My Treatment
4:31 - Finding a Clinic: Going to Eastside TMS in Renton, WA
4:37 - How Many Sessions Total? My 52-Treatment Timeline
5:15 - The Time Commitment: Weekly TMS Appointment Schedule
5:38 - What is a PHQ-9 Score? Measuring Clinical Depression
6:15 - Cost of TMS Therapy & Insurance Coverage Restrictions
8:01 - Does TMS Therapy Hurt? Myth vs. Reality
8:45 - Managing Anxiety & Fear About the Mapping Process
9:09 - Side Effects I Experienced (Headaches, Nausea, & Twitching)
9:43 - Different Types of TMS Machines & Technologies
10:10 - How Long is One Session? (Theta Burst 3-Minute Protocol)
10:18 - Why TMS Might Be Painful: What You Need to Know About Motor Threshold
11:50 - TMS Memory Loss: Addressing the Rumors & ECT vs. TMS
12:35 - When Did I Feel a Difference? My Day 3 & Day 10 Break-Throughs
13:34 - How I Knew TMS Therapy Was Working (The Photoshoot Realization)
15:00 - Do the Results Last? How Often Do You Go Back for Treatment?
16:43 - What TMS Maintenance & Tune-Ups Look Like After Grief
17:25 - The TMS "Dip" Explained: What to Expect Around Day 15-20
18:12 - Am I Still on Depression Medication? (TMS vs. Antidepressants)
20:15 - Tracking My Progress: My Real PHQ-9 Scores Week-by-Week
21:56 - A Detailed Look at My Final PHQ-9 Assessment Form
23:45 - Send Me Your Questions! Future Mental Health Q&A
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