Jenny's Story: From Silent Struggles to Joyful Strength

Jenny, one of our Gilbert, Arizona patients, spent over a decade battling depression and anxiety. From the outside, she appeared to be managing her symptoms well. She would get up every morning, go to work, and go through the motions. But behind the scenes, her days were consumed by exhaustion, tears, and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.

"Most days, I would get up, cry the whole way to work, redo my makeup, and then go inside. At lunch, I’d go back to my car and cry again. By the time I got home, I was totally exhausted," Jenny shared.

Jenny didn’t know why she felt this way. She was functioning, yes, but life didn’t feel worth it. Even the simple act of waking up was a challenge. "I remember my husband waking me up for work and I would just cry because I was just so tired."

Seeking Mental Health Help Before Pregnancy

Jenny and her husband had dreams of starting a family. But the thought of staying on depression medication while pregnant worried her. She knew something had to change. That’s when she found Serenity Mental Health Centers.

Her first appointment was with Dr. Dekeyser, one of our board-certified psychiatrists who not only listened to her concerns but also gave her something she hadn’t felt in years: hope. "I told her I was planning on getting pregnant that year and I wanted to be on medication that was safest for pregnancy. She talked to me about Zoloft, which is safe in pregnancy, and then she asked, 'Have you heard about TMS?'"

Discovering TMS Therapy in Gilbert, Arizona

Jenny hadn’t ever heard of TMS therapy before that day. In fact, she was surprised she’d never heard of TMS before. "She explained it to me, and I thought, 'That’s impossible. That’s not gonna happen. This isn’t going to work for me because it seemed so easy.' And I just thought, 'How have I never heard of this before?'"

For those who may not know about our signature treatment: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a medication-free therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood disorders. For people like Jenny, who have tried medication after medication without lasting relief, TMS offers something different, and much more promising for those with treatment-resistant depression.

Gradual Healing with TMS Therapy

Dr. Dekeyser told Jenny not to expect overnight results. Healing would be gradual, and others might notice the change before she did. That’s exactly what happened. "My mom said, probably after two or three weeks, 'Hey, I think this is really helping you.' At first I thought maybe it's just the hope of something different, but it was definitely the actual treatment."

Jenny began to notice something incredible: she was feeling okay. Even while pregnant, even during a global pandemic, even with fluctuating hormones and stress Jenny "realized one day I have all of these stressors in my life, a lot of these uncertain things going on, and I'm okay. That was so wonderful, and it was such a relief."

From Surviving to Thriving with TMS for Depression

Before TMS, Jenny was in survival mode. She avoided social situations, felt detached from joy, and couldn’t shake the sense of being too much for those around her. "Last year I was really tired, not interested in hanging out with my friends, not interested in going on dates with my husband. I would come home and cry and beg my husband not to leave me and then tell him that he could if he wanted."

Today, Jenny’s life looks completely different. She’s still tired, but this time, there’s a beautiful reason: her baby girl. "Now I'm really tired, but it's because I have this cute little baby. I'm able to take care of her. I don't know if I would be able to take care of her adequately if I hadn't done TMS."

Advocating for TMS Treatment in Gilbert, AZ

The contrast of Jenny’s depression symptoms (between then and now) has made her a passionate advocate for TMS therapy. "So now, having experienced it myself and seeing the difference it can make in my life, I want to share it with other people. It's going to change your life."

She knows how it might sound, like it’s too good to be true or too easy… But she also knows it’s real because she’s living proof. "It sounds so cheeky to be like, 'It’ll change your life,' but it changed mine and I'm so, so glad that I tried it."

To anyone out there struggling the way she once was, Jenny has one message: "Yes, you should try it."

You’re Not Alone: Find Help with TMS Therapy in Gilbert, Arizona

Jenny’s story is one of perseverance, courage, and rediscovered joy. It’s a reminder that no matter how long you've been struggling, no matter how exhausted or hopeless you feel, healing is possible. Sometimes, it begins with a simple question: "Have you heard about TMS?"

If you or someone you love is navigating the weight of treatment-resistant depression or anxiety, our local psychiatrists at Serenity Mental Health Centers are always here to help. Like Jenny, you can find a way forward. Discover the life-changing benefits of TMS therapy in Gilbert, Arizona, and reclaim your mental wellness today.