Bethany’s Story: From Panic to Peace Through TMS

For Bethany, some days felt impossible. She felt the pain of the kind of days when getting out of bed took every ounce of strength she had left. Her world had grown quiet and dark, swallowed by depression, persistent anxiety disorders, and a relentless string of panic attacks. Living in Arizona, she found herself at a breaking point. Bethany often wondered if she'd make it through the day, unsure if she’d still be here for her kids tomorrow.

It was in that darkness that she found a light: Serenity Mental Health Centers.

A Life Derailed by Depression and Anxiety

Before coming to Serenity, Bethany was fighting an invisible battle. She suffered from severe depression and debilitating anxiety. Some days brought as many as eight or nine panic attacks, in which waves of fear would crash over her, one after another, leaving her exhausted and emotionally drained.

“I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the end of the day,” she said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be here for my kids.”

Her life had narrowed to a quiet, painful routine: lying in bed, crying, unable to get up, isolated from the world around her. Her role as a mother, her sense of self, and even her will to live faded beneath the weight of her symptoms. She described it as a “really deep, dark place,” the kind where even small moments felt impossible.

For Bethany, it wasn’t just about surviving the day. It was about finding a reason to keep going.

A Hug That Changed Everything

Her turning point came in the most unexpected way: a hug from her 15-year-old daughter. Bethany had been lying in bed, overcome with hopelessness, when her daughter came in, wrapped her arms around her, and said the words that cracked the walls Bethany had built around herself:

“Mom, I need you. Do whatever it takes, but I need you.”

That moment broke through the fog. It reminded Bethany of what mattered most: her family, her children, and the life she still had waiting for her. It was the push she needed to seek help, and it led her to Serenity’s compassionate care team.

Walking Through the Doors of Serenity

When Bethany first arrived at Serenity, she met with a psychiatrist who listened carefully and worked with her to find the right path forward. At first, she and her doctor explored medication management, which was a familiar step that offered some comfort. But when her symptoms remained stubborn, the conversation shifted to a newer treatment: TMS therapy.

TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, sounded intimidating at first. Bethany remembers how nervous she felt. “It’s a giant helmet that’s banging you in the head,” she said with a laugh, “and I thought it was like shock therapy… but it’s not.”

Her psychiatrist gently explained how TMS works. Using magnetic pulses, TMS targets the parts of the brain affected by depression, gently reactivating them and restoring balance. It’s pain-free, safe, and proven effective for patients with treatment-resistant conditions similar to those Bethany was suffering from. For Bethany, TMS was a new kind of hope.

A Light Begins to Shine

The first couple of weeks were quiet, but by week three, Bethany began to feel something shift. “It was like the lights were turning on,” she said. “I know that’s hard to explain, but when you’re depressed, you’re in a really dark room inside your mind, and the light started turning on.”

As each session passed, the light grew brighter, and so did Bethany. She began smiling again, laughing, and participating in life. Her kids noticed it first. “Wow, Mom, you’re smiling today,” they told her. The small things began to return: family movie nights, time together in the kitchen, even a cupcake bake-off filled with laughter and joy.

It wasn’t just about feeling better for Bethany, it was about rediscovering the person she used to be and realizing she hadn’t been lost after all.

The Power of TMS Therapy

TMS gave Bethany more than symptom relief; it gave her the ability to live again. TMS therapy is offered as part of a comprehensive, personalized care plan designed for patients like Bethany who haven’t found success with medication alone.

Due to the fact that TMS targets brain regions linked to mood regulation, it’s often used to treat OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and chronic depression. For many patients, the results are life-changing. It’s not an overnight fix, but a process of healing that works gently and steadily.

As Bethany puts it: “If you’re suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD—literally anything—I tell everybody: you’ve got to do TMS. It’s literally life-changing.”

A New Chapter: Hope, Joy, and Connection

Six weeks. That’s all it took for Bethany to feel like herself again. Six weeks of consistent care, daily sessions, and compassionate support from a team that never gave up on her. Today, she describes herself as “an entirely different person.”

“I was very removed, very isolated, very quiet,” she recalled. “Everything made me cry. I couldn’t really find joy in… living, I guess you could say. It was difficult to want to stay alive.”

But now things are different. Now, Bethany smiles. She laughs with her kids, bakes, engages, and wakes up wanting to be alive. Bethany is ready to be present for her children, and filled with gratitude for the treatment that gave her life back.

Compassionate Care for Every Patient

Bethany’s story is just one of many. At Serenity Mental Health Centers, we believe every patient deserves a care plan that fits who they are and what they need. Whether you’re navigating life after trauma, managing panic attacks, or coping with OCD, our team of handpicked providers, from expert psychiatrists to specialized technicians, works with you to build a path to lasting mental wellness that feels personal, safe, and supportive.

Unlike traditional hospitals or inpatient programs, Serenity operates on an outpatient model. This means that you can continue living your life while receiving the advanced behavioral health treatments you need.

We’re proud to serve our patients with the highest standard of psychiatric care. From medication adjustments to innovative therapies like TMS, our psychiatrists focus on real solutions, not temporary fixes.

For Anyone Who Feels Like Bethany Once Did

If you’re lying in bed, wondering how you’ll make it through the day, or if you’re watching a loved one suffer and feel helpless, we want you to know that healing is possible. Bethany didn’t just survive her depression; she stepped out of it. With the right care, the right support, and a treatment that truly worked, she found joy again. We know that you can, too.

Let our local psychiatrists help you manage your symptoms, find clarity, and restore balance. Whether it’s through medication, behavioral health support, or TMS therapy, we’ll tailor your treatment to meet you where you are in life.

Bethany once believed she wouldn’t make it through the day. Now, she’s planning cupcake bake-offs with her kids. That’s the power of care that works and, at Serenity, it’s waiting for you!