WTVR CBS 6 reported that a Hampton Roads teacher sought TMS after continued depression symptoms despite prior talk therapy and medication, describing personal improvement.
A Hampton Roads teacher’s account
WTVR CBS 6 reported in 2022 that a Hampton Roads high school teacher, Alice Stephenson, had experienced depression since her teenage years. She told the station that her symptoms became especially serious in her early 20s, when she was suicidal and began taking her mental health more seriously.
According to WTVR CBS 6, Stephenson said talk therapy and medication had helped her over time, but she continued to struggle with what she described as a persistent “cloud” of depression. She also told the station that she was tired of trying different medications and experiencing side effects.
TMS described in the report
WTVR CBS 6 reported that Stephenson’s doctor recommended transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, for treatment-resistant depression. A physician interviewed by the station described TMS as using magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation.
According to WTVR CBS 6, the physician described the procedure as non-invasive and painless, with a tapping sensation on the scalp during treatment. The report said there is no recovery period and no change in a person’s level of consciousness described by the physician.
The station also reported that treatment sessions last about 20 minutes and are performed five days a week over a six-week period. WTVR CBS 6 said the physician stated that some patients may notice results within the first two to three weeks.
Reported experience and duration
WTVR CBS 6 reported that Stephenson described a meaningful change in how she saw herself after treatment. She told the station that she remembered looking in a mirror while washing her hands and, for the first time in years, liking what she saw.
The report said studies show TMS results can last from one to three years. WTVR CBS 6 also reported Stephenson’s view that the treatment helped her feel more in control of her mental health. Her experience was presented by the station as one person’s account, rather than as a guarantee of a particular outcome for others.
What this means for Virginia patients
For Virginians looking for treatment locally, this directory lists 79 published clinics in Virginia, which may help people identify nearby TMS options and ask providers about availability, evaluation, and coverage.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Virginia reporting on treatment updates.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.