Sioux Falls Woman Says TMS Saved Her Life!

Abby Erickson of Sioux Falls was struggling with depression for years.

"I felt very, very alone," Abby told me.  "Even though I was surrounded by family and friends---the depression consumed me.  When you're in a place of depression, you feel alone.  No one else is there.  No one understands.  It's very, very scarey."

While in the grips of depression, Abby discovered a new treatment for the mental health disorder at the Avera Behavioral Health Center in Sioux Falls.

"All of a sudden it just hit me as I was watching a television program that featured a new treatment for depresion.  I went straight home and I goggled it.  I was able to find an article on a website about TMS."

Shortly after finding out about TMS, Abby started the treatment---and it worked!

"I was happy and healthy.  I discovered who I was all over again.  I knew that TMS had saved my life.'

Dr. Matthew Stanley with Avera Behavioral Health Services describes the treatment.

"TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.  It is a safe and effective treatment for depression.  TMS is for people whose depression symptoms have not been helped by medication or for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressants."

Now that she is free of depression, Abby Erickson says it's important for people to seek help for the illness---whether it's medications, talk therapy or TMS!  The Sioux Falls woman is glad she did!