After Decades of Depression, Accelerated TMS Helped Pam Rediscover Life
For most of her life, Pam lived under the weight of depression.
Now in her 70s, she can remember the first time she struggled with her mental health. She was in seventh grade, leaving her feeling isolated and disconnected from her peers.
"I told a teacher that I didn't feel like living," Pam recalls. "That was the beginning."
Although she was referred for help, depression remained a constant presence throughout her life. Growing up, she was encouraged to handle her struggles on her own. Later, while attending college, counseling helped her manage her symptoms well enough to earn a degree in history and begin her career.
Over the years, Pam built a life she was proud of. She worked as a substitute teacher, helped run a family business, and operated a successful dog-sitting business for more than 40 years. Still, depression persisted.
"It was always there," she says. "I just kept pushing through."
Eventually, encouragement from friends and clients led her to seek psychiatric care. Medication and therapy provided relief for many years. But in 2026, Pam noticed that the treatments that had helped her for so long were no longer working.
"I was sleeping until 10 a.m. most days," she says. "I was always tired. I had brain fog, no energy, and no motivation. Even taking care of my dog took everything I had."
Looking for Another Option
Pam's psychiatrist referred her to the Center for Interventional Psychiatry at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, where she met Daniel Varon, MD, and learned about accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), also known as SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy). UPMC is among the first centers in the U.S. to offer accelerated TMS therapy.
Accelerated TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional TMS, which is delivered over several weeks, accelerated TMS delivers individualized, MRI-guided treatment over five consecutive days. Patients receive 10 treatment sessions each day, with each session lasting about 10 minutes. The treatment is noninvasive and does not require anesthesia or sedation.
"Treatment-resistant depression can be incredibly frustrating for patients who have tried multiple therapies without finding meaningful relief," says Dr. Varon. "Accelerated TMS offers an innovative option that allows us to deliver highly targeted treatment in a much shorter timeframe than traditional TMS."
Before beginning treatment, Pam underwent specialized brain imaging, including MRI scans that helped her care team personalize treatment to the specific brain networks associated with her depression symptoms.
"When we use MRI-guided targeting, we can personalize the treatment for each patient," says Dr. Varon. "Our goal is to stimulate the brain circuits involved in depression and help restore healthier patterns of activity."
A Week of Treatment
Pam began her accelerated TMS treatment in May 2026.
For five consecutive days, she arrived at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital early each morning and spent most of her day at the clinic. During each treatment session, magnetic pulses were delivered to a targeted area of her brain. Between sessions, she relaxed, watched movies on a tablet, and enjoyed lunch provided by the care team.
Unsure how she would feel during treatment, Pam arranged a rideshare service for her first two days. By the third day, she felt comfortable enough to drive herself.
She remembers the week as physically demanding, but manageable.
"My only side effect was a headache," she says. Because Pam took ibuprofen before her sessions, the headaches remained mild. Fatigue and headaches are among the most common side effects associated with accelerated TMS therapy.
By the third day, the intensity of the treatment schedule had begun to wear on her emotionally, and Pam found herself overcome with tears.
"The team assured me that I was responding well and encouraged me to keep going," she says. "Dr. Varon and Cassidy were wonderful. They checked on me throughout the day and made sure I was doing okay."
A Life-Changing Difference
Like many patients, Pam hoped to feel better immediately. Instead, she waited.
Then, about two weeks after completing treatment, something changed.
"It was like a light switch turned on," she says. "The depression lifted."
The brain fog disappeared. Her fatigue improved. Her energy returned.
"It was a very different Pam," she says. "I'm still getting used to the new me."
Three months later, the improvement remained.
"It was like a miracle," Pam says. "I still wake up every day and can't believe it. People who know me can see the difference."
Pam continues to take her prescribed medications and follow up with her psychiatrist, which is an important part of ongoing care after accelerated TMS treatment. Patients are encouraged to continue working with their mental health providers after therapy to maintain long-term wellness.
"Accelerated TMS can help with depression, but ongoing psychiatric care remains essential," says Dr. Varon.
Looking Ahead
Today, Pam begins her day around 8 a.m. instead of sleeping late into the morning.
She has more energy and motivation. She takes her dog Ollie for walks, participates in rehabilitation programs for pulmonary disease, and enjoys spending time with other people.
Most importantly, she feels hopeful again.
"I used to wish I was dead, and now I don't," she says. "Nothing seemed to work before. Now I have a future."
Pam is still discovering what that future might look like. She dreams of expanding her circle of friends and returning to activities she loved as a child, like downhill skiing.
"I don't want to be limited by my age," she says.
After a lifetime spent battling depression, that sense of possibility is something she never expected.
"Growing up, I never imagined there would be a day when I wouldn't struggle like this," Pam says. "I gave up many times. That's why what happened after treatment feels so incredible."
And every morning, she says, she wakes up grateful for the chance to experience life in a new way.
This patient’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Contact Us
For more information about accelerated TMS or to schedule an appointment with the Center for Interventional Psychiatry at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, please call 412-246-5063.
