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3,000 Pulses: Surviving Depression with TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
3000 Pulses
- GenresPsychologyMemoir
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
26 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Martha Rhodes
1 bookMartha Rhodes spent over twenty-five years working in several major New York advertising agencies as a senior-level executive. She is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston and has done post-graduate work at Harvard University as well as The School of Visual Arts in New York. She was inducted into the Print Media Hall of Fame in 2008. She successfully transitioned several New York advertising agencies into state-of-the-art digital enterprises.
Martha currently devotes her time to patients and health care professionals throughout the United States as a TMS Advocate (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). She is on the Patient Advisory Council of the ISEN (International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation) and is a member of NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness). She has run several TMS support groups for patients either considering TMS therapy, or who were in process or had completed TMS.
Martha currently devotes her time to patients and health care professionals throughout the United States as a TMS Advocate (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). She is on the Patient Advisory Council of the ISEN (International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation) and is a member of NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness). She has run several TMS support groups for patients either considering TMS therapy, or who were in process or had completed TMS.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 10, 2018
I loved this book because it gave me so much hope. I too have lived with debilitating depression for many years, worse the last couple years and therapy wasn’t helping me anymore.
I was already in the middle of NeuroStar treatment when I read this book, and it has helped so much. I now have the wherewithal to make choices in my life that will keep me feeling better. Before, and for so long, I was in too much pain to care. My mother committed suicide, so I knew I would never hurt my children that way, but I often wished I were dead to stop the pain. I may need more treatments down the road, as this author did, and that’s ok with me. I’m so hopeful now of living a healthier life, and enjoying it. I recommend the book and the treatment.
I was already in the middle of NeuroStar treatment when I read this book, and it has helped so much. I now have the wherewithal to make choices in my life that will keep me feeling better. Before, and for so long, I was in too much pain to care. My mother committed suicide, so I knew I would never hurt my children that way, but I often wished I were dead to stop the pain. I may need more treatments down the road, as this author did, and that’s ok with me. I’m so hopeful now of living a healthier life, and enjoying it. I recommend the book and the treatment.
September 6, 2016
Real people, plus real lives shattered, plus real triumphs equals inspiration that surpasses even the most powerful fiction. It takes a courageous person to share such a personal and harrowing story, one that begins with a brush with death and continues on through an emotional hell. It takes an indefatigable spirit to fight back relentlessly against a system of doctors, hospitals and insurance companies who protect the bottom-line at the expense of the individual. It takes the undying love of family and friends to hold everyone and everything together when all appears lost. And it takes an incredibly talented author to mold this experience into a narrative that flows with empathy and creative wit. Beyond the hope this book offers to anyone suffering from chronic depression, especially those who are considering TMS as a possible solution, this book offers an uplifting reminder to all of us that we should never give up the fight.
October 11, 2016
Interesting story about a little known process, but it's marred by a few key factors:
* she doesn't talk a lot about the effects of TMS. I know that sounds weird, but it takes a long time in the book to get to her actually getting the treatment...and then she's done, everything's good.
* the book is overwritten and didn't get much of an edit or a copy edit. There are a couple of real doozy errors in it.
* she doesn't talk a lot about the effects of TMS. I know that sounds weird, but it takes a long time in the book to get to her actually getting the treatment...and then she's done, everything's good.
* the book is overwritten and didn't get much of an edit or a copy edit. There are a couple of real doozy errors in it.
January 21, 2014
A remarkable story of triumph over depression through a little known but powerful treatment protocol with no side effects! The story is beautifully written with a sense of humor and transcendence. I was fortunate enough to work with Martha and witness as this wonderful book emerged.
January 28, 2019
I went into this book looking for something about TMS. I have treatment resistant major depressive disorder and while medications are still being tried, the idea of TMS has been floated and I began research. There's a good amount of research, some anecdotal evidence pointing either way, and more available on the internet. But when I came across this book I was drawn to it. An intimate portrayal of someone's experience with TMS and their journey living with and managing depression? It was exactly the book I needed for my curiosity.
Majority of this book is lead up to the actual TMS treatments, but its important to understand what the author went through before agreeing to, at the time especially, an expensive and experimental procedure. These days its more established, so the historical context is also important. You get a look into someone else's life, a life that is so dissimilar to mine that it was interesting to see our parallels with the same disease. She wrote a few lines that I felt necessary to highlight and come back to because they were so succinct and accurate in their summation of how it feels at times.
So on one level, this book is a good memoir about someone's mental health and journey to wellness. On the other, near the end, it becomes a testimony to TMS and the experience of it, the possible outcome of successful treatment, and some learning of its mechanisms. If you're considering TMS and have the wherewithal to read a book in your current state, I'd recommend this as a read, because it will illuminate some of the mystery around the treatment and help you understand what it is, and what it could lead to. After I read it I decided to set up a consultation to look more into treatments.
As a book, its a good memoir and was a quick read for me. As a TMS story, it was very valuable to read such an in depth and personal account of someone's experience, success, and journey to it.
Majority of this book is lead up to the actual TMS treatments, but its important to understand what the author went through before agreeing to, at the time especially, an expensive and experimental procedure. These days its more established, so the historical context is also important. You get a look into someone else's life, a life that is so dissimilar to mine that it was interesting to see our parallels with the same disease. She wrote a few lines that I felt necessary to highlight and come back to because they were so succinct and accurate in their summation of how it feels at times.
So on one level, this book is a good memoir about someone's mental health and journey to wellness. On the other, near the end, it becomes a testimony to TMS and the experience of it, the possible outcome of successful treatment, and some learning of its mechanisms. If you're considering TMS and have the wherewithal to read a book in your current state, I'd recommend this as a read, because it will illuminate some of the mystery around the treatment and help you understand what it is, and what it could lead to. After I read it I decided to set up a consultation to look more into treatments.
As a book, its a good memoir and was a quick read for me. As a TMS story, it was very valuable to read such an in depth and personal account of someone's experience, success, and journey to it.
October 30, 2021
Great book. Very well written. I love the way Martha was able to infuse humor and inspiration into such a serious and tragic story. Thanks Martha, for sharing your very personal journey. I don't suffer from such serious, debilitating depression; however, reading this made me more aware and grateful for my life and loving family relationships.
July 10, 2018
This book did a great job of showing the challenges and difficulties someone with mental illness faces. It brings home the point that drugs may not always be the answer. I am so glad that TMS is now available. I hope that insurance will begin to recognize it and the need for occasional follow-up treatment. (less)
January 9, 2021
anyone who is suffering from depression, needs to find out more about TMS. - this book can help you. i am almost done with my sessions of TMS and this book is right on. There is help for you.
December 3, 2022
Loved. I’m currently doing TMS. I connected with the author and would recommend this to anyone battling depression and who may be looking for help.
June 11, 2023
There's not much here that hasn't been done better by other folks before. Skip the early sessions and go right to the TMS account if you're considering the treatment for yourself.
September 4, 2025
well written, about a depression. treatment. I'm glad it worked forbthe author, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. depression is a awful disease, and I'm glad there's many treatments.
February 21, 2017
So informative and authentic
I'm just now considering TMS therapy after 30 years of suffering. I so appreciate the Author's candor about her depression, detailed recounting of her TMS experience and description of her positive outcome. This book is well written and engaging, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a clearer understanding of depression.
I'm just now considering TMS therapy after 30 years of suffering. I so appreciate the Author's candor about her depression, detailed recounting of her TMS experience and description of her positive outcome. This book is well written and engaging, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a clearer understanding of depression.
April 7, 2017
Overview from the internet:
3,000 Pulses Later: A Memoir of Surviving Depression Without Medication describes how, as a successful advertising executive, wife, and mother with a seemingly ideal life, Martha Rhodes succumbed to depression and overdosed on Xanax and alcohol in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. The memoir describes her challenges with untreated, drug-resistant depression and her struggle to find an alternative to the drugs that failed to relieve her symptoms.
After a grueling stay in a psychiatric ward and many months of trial-and-error medications, Martha pursued TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—the FDA-cleared, safe and proven-effective alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the ineffective drugs her doctors prescribed.
3,000 Pulses Later shares how the road back to health with TMS returned her to an even better place than where she started. She now manages her depression with TMS therapy—and without the side effects attributable to antidepressant medications.
I read this book as research for a family member for whom TMS has been recommended. I expected it to be one big advertisement for NeuroStar, the first company to gain FDA approval for the treatment in 2008. It was NeuroStar who provided the book to me, via their website, free of charge. Not only was this NOT an advertisement for NeuroStar, but it was an excellent read. I never felt lost in a tangled web of scientific terms. The story was gripping alone and made even more so by the fact that it is true. I finished the book with many questions answered and a much clearer picture of the entire treatment process. This is an interesting book for anyone to read but it critical for anyone considering TMS treatment for themselves or for a loved one.
3,000 Pulses Later: A Memoir of Surviving Depression Without Medication describes how, as a successful advertising executive, wife, and mother with a seemingly ideal life, Martha Rhodes succumbed to depression and overdosed on Xanax and alcohol in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. The memoir describes her challenges with untreated, drug-resistant depression and her struggle to find an alternative to the drugs that failed to relieve her symptoms.
After a grueling stay in a psychiatric ward and many months of trial-and-error medications, Martha pursued TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—the FDA-cleared, safe and proven-effective alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the ineffective drugs her doctors prescribed.
3,000 Pulses Later shares how the road back to health with TMS returned her to an even better place than where she started. She now manages her depression with TMS therapy—and without the side effects attributable to antidepressant medications.
I read this book as research for a family member for whom TMS has been recommended. I expected it to be one big advertisement for NeuroStar, the first company to gain FDA approval for the treatment in 2008. It was NeuroStar who provided the book to me, via their website, free of charge. Not only was this NOT an advertisement for NeuroStar, but it was an excellent read. I never felt lost in a tangled web of scientific terms. The story was gripping alone and made even more so by the fact that it is true. I finished the book with many questions answered and a much clearer picture of the entire treatment process. This is an interesting book for anyone to read but it critical for anyone considering TMS treatment for themselves or for a loved one.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews