I am so incredibly honored that my short essay, “Cursed”, was shared on the HWA Mental Health Initiative page. Why not stop and read the Mental Health Initiative Charter? Shatter the stigma, my friends. You can find this painfully honest essay here. <3
TMS Therapy Posts in Order!
I am so delighted and humbled by all of the sweet people who have reached out to me asking about Transcranial Magnetic Therapy. Mental health is so important and let’s smash the stigma surrounding it, yes? It’s been a while since I finished TMS, and I’m still feeling great without it. Of course I have good days and bad days, … Read More
I Completed My TMS Therapy!
It went swimmingly. Do you see this smile? This is a genuine, happy smile. It was, indeed, a time commitment, but it really flew by quickly. It felt good to get up, get dressed, and go somewhere every day. It was powerful to take that step especially when all I originally wanted to do was stay home and hide under … Read More
So, I’ve Been Sick. What Really Happened. *Trigger Warning*
Wednesdays are usually where I write about TMS therapy (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and how wonderfully I’ve reacted to it. (You can read about it here.) It has changed my life. Then I had a horrific snafu with my doctor and pharmacy. Long, long, LONG story short, I’ve been trying to get my prescriptions refilled since January. We have a new … Read More
TMS: Halfway Through!
I hit the halfway point and I can honestly say that everything has changed. I’m sleeping an average of six hours a night instead of two or three. My PHQ-9 score went from an unsustainable 23 to a 5. Can you believe that? Every day they ask me, “What word would you use to describe your mood?” and I’ve gone … Read More
TMS Therapy: The First Week [video]
We did brain mapping and then it was time for the first session. The magnets were next to my skull, but not actually touching it. They would click loudly (wear earplugs!) for four seconds, be silent for 11 seconds, and then click for another four seconds. Rinse and repeat for about 20 minutes. Even though nothing was touching my skull, … Read More
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy: Brain Mapping
Brain mapping. Frankly, I didn’t know exactly what to expect and the sound of it was terrifying. In reality, it was no big deal. TMS targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is the area of the brain that is most known for executive functions like working memory, decision making, and motor planning. It’s also connected to other parts of the brain that … Read More
Miss Murder Starts TMS Therapy: An Introduction
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and it’s a technique used for medication-resistant depression. Hello. I’m Mercedes and I have clinical depression. I’m a wife, a mother, a writer, and a friend. I love pets and I dance in the rain and I struggle with suicidal ideation nearly every single day of my life. It’s a bit of a juxtaposition. … Read More
Say What Is Truth with Joni Haws! Honesty, Vulnerability, and Trigger Warnings
My friend Joni Haws is an absolutely amazing person. She is one of my very favorite people in the entire world. Joni just started the Say What is Truth podcast, where she sits and has conversations with (extra)ordinary, everyday people to discuss what goes on in their lives. She’s wise, insightful, and these conversations hit hard. Exploring life’s defining moments, … Read More
