Mitchell's Story: A New Beginning After Years of Silent Struggle

Mitchell grew up in Arizona, living in the same house since he was three years old. On the surface, things seemed steady. But inside, he was facing a quiet, invisible battle with anxiety and depression that he didn’t fully understand.

"I was having extreme nervousness with things that I wasn’t nervous about before. It made no sense," Mitchell shared. "I didn’t want to get out of bed. I’d show up late to work—not because I didn’t know the time, but because I just didn’t care."

Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed

Like many men who experience depression, Mitchell’s symptoms were misunderstood. "Other people, especially those who haven’t gone through this depression and anxiety thing, really didn’t get it. Even my parents didn’t realize I had depression. They thought I was lazy, didn’t want to go to school or work, and just had anger issues."

That misunderstanding went on for a long time. It wasn’t until Mitchell’s mom stumbled upon an article about depression in men that things began to make sense. "She was reading through the symptoms and said, 'Huh, my son kind of has some of those.' That’s when she did more research and realized: maybe this is depression."

When Nothing Seems to Work

Once Mitchell and his family recognized what was going on, they sought help. But the road to healing wasn’t easy. "I went to numerous doctors and tried numerous medications for both depression and anxiety. Nothing worked." That sense of hopelessness is all too familiar to those with treatment-resistant depression, something our psychiatrists pride themselves in treating at Serenity. We understand the exhaustion of trying yet another medication, only to feel unchanged or worse, and being stuck in a never-ending cycle.

Discovering TMS Therapy in Arizona

Everything changed when Mitchell’s mom heard about Serenity Mental Health Centers through a co-worker. "She had a co-worker who went to Serenity and completed their TMS for depression treatment with amazing success. That’s when I thought: I want to give this a shot."

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, medication-free treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain linked to mood. It’s safe, and often effective for people who haven’t had success with traditional medication or talk therapy.

What TMS Feels Like

When Mitchell started TMS therapy, he wasn’t sure what to expect. "It’s definitely not what I thought it would feel like. It feels kind of like a woodpecker tapping at your head—but it doesn’t hurt. It’s just noticeable." He explained, "They put this helmet on your head, and it literally feels like something is just poking your head repeatedly. But it never got uncomfortable."

Real Results, Real Change

After about a month or two of consistent TMS sessions, Mitchell began to feel the difference. "I felt fantastic. I was eating healthy, motivated to work out, and I lost a lot of the weight I had gained from previous medications. I felt better than I had in a long time."

This transformation didn’t just affect his mood. It changed his whole lifestyle. He regained motivation, confidence, and a sense of joy he hadn’t felt in years. That’s the kind of change that TMS therapy can offer, especially for those who’ve tried everything else.

Paying It Forward: Helping Others Find Hope

Now, Mitchell wants to share what he’s learned. "I try to reach out to people and let them know, because I’ve gone through what they’re going through. I wish I had someone to tell me, 'Hey, here’s what you should do. Here’s what to expect.'"

He doesn’t want anyone else to feel alone or stuck. Mitchell knows the power of hope and wants to offer that to others facing depression. "Anytime I see someone going through something similar, I try to help."

A Completely New Outlook

Reflecting on how far he’s come, Mitchell said, "I feel like a completely different person—in a good way." That kind of emotional shift is what makes TMS therapy such a game-changer for people like Mitchell. It’s not just about feeling a little better. It’s about regaining your life, rediscovering purpose, and reconnecting with the world around you.

You’re Not Alone: Consider TMS Therapy in Arizona

Mitchell’s journey is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach. If you’re struggling with symptoms of depression or anxiety and haven’t found success with medications, our signature TMS therapy in Arizona might be the next step.

At Serenity, patients like Mitchell receive patient-oriented care, compassionate support, and a treatment plan designed to meet their specific treatment goals. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options, or you’ve been feeling stuck for years, there’s help available.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, "Will I ever feel like myself again?" you can rest assured that the answer can be yes. Reach out to one of our on-site patient care coordinators today to explore how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can help you take your first step toward feeling whole again.