Recovered Depression Sufferer interview-Gwendolyn 

Wow it’s me!! Thank you Mark for giving me the opportunity to share my story. MDD isn’t a death sentence- it can get better :) Some things about TMS that I left out- It has a 50-60% success rate, and 1/3 (the group I was in) experience total remission. There’s a correlation between the success rate of TMS and listening to guided meditation. (I tried this for a week or so but got bored and just watched Twin Peaks during my sessions.) The most major risk is seizures, but before each session they ask about risk factors (caffeine intake, how much sleep you got, etc.) I’m so grateful for this opportunity to share my story and destigmatize alternative methods of treatment!

People that know, know. It's impossible to explain what life is like with debilitating depression to someone that has no experience with it. Sharing like this is affirming and encouraging for all of us. Thanks for that.

“I am bent, but not broken. I am scarred, but not disfigured. I am sad, but not hopeless. I am tired, but not powerless. I am angry, but not bitter. I am depressed, but not giving up.”

Aaw. As a sufferer it's lovely to see someone feeling so much better. I hope she stays that way.

What an amazing transformation! To see the pure joy she exudes is heart-warming and inspirational! I'm so glad that there are mental health practitioners who go beyond just trying another type of pill or just talking. TMS therapy was clearly life-changing for her and could also be for others who suffer from depression like me. I will definitely have to look into this with my doctor and therapist.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression over 20 years ago and life has been tough. I get what she says when she sees things in black and white as I do exactly the same. My aim is to one day be able to laugh again although at times it seems impossible. This story has given me a little hope, which is all I need right now

As depressed people, our options are to suffer greatly or suffer a little bit less but feel nothing most of the time from all the medication.

She has an aura of kindness and light- even if she doesn't know it, she is helping people- that meet her and have their day brightened, by her smile or hearing her laugh. If she ever reads this: thank you for being this way- also know you are human, and things will still get you down from time to time, that doesn't mean that you are failing, or that it will all crash down on you again, it just means that you are human- keep fighting, and get help when or where you may need it. Have a great life, young lady!

Thank you for sharing this story. I'm 43 years old and I have lived with depression since I was 11. I wish I could have had the same support from my family that you did. I didn't start getting help until I was in my late 30's.

"I lost the genetics lottery..." Gwendolyn is intelligent, articulate, self-aware, beautiful, and the complimentary list goes on. She seems like a winner to me! I'm happy this amazing woman was able to find the right path for her. Thank you for sharing her story.

So many people out there claiming that depression is not real and that depressed people are just spoiled and lazy, it's unbelievable! I had phases when I was calming and relaxing myself thinking how one day I will not exist anymore. Yeah, definitely sounds like something that you can fix with working out and willpower.

Gwendolyn the conclusion of your story gave me goosebumps that lasted for a good 35 seconds - very beautiful, very powerful testimony . Thank you

I was hired at SoCal TMS in Pasadena,Ca. There were many satisfied patients. I didn’t work there long but in my training I learned the complexity of measuring the skull properly for TMS to be effective. It’s definitely a life-changer for some. Also she said the Lexapro was taken in conjunction with the TMS & so I’m glad she stayed on the medication consistently. It’s really common for people to think they don’t need their medication anymore & then stop it, only to find out again that they will need it. I’m happy for her!!! ❤🎉

This interview is incredible. As someone who studies psychology it always warms my heart to see people change for the better as a result of effective treatment. Thank you for sharing your story!

I’m also 23 and haven’t felt true happiness not induced by acid for as long as I can remember. Thanks for verbalizing the exact way I feel. I’m working on sobriety and have my first therapy session monday. Thanks for the encouragement❤️ your sweater is awesome

Mark you continue to amaze me with the diversity in your interviews. Thank you for this video..this one will help many people. Gwendolyn did a fantastic job and i am so happy for her.

Top-tier mushroom sweater. What a beautiful soul and inspiring story. I get the sense that great things are ahead for you! Thank you so much for sharing your unique perspective on this particular type of therapy. It doesn't get a ton of exposure, but you are proof that it can work! ☮

I got out of a cult 2 years ago and coming to the realization throughout these last two years that I was a victim of the cult spiraled me into a multi layer depression, I feel like I’m taking a few steps up and out of the hole now, it feels to me like I’m in a deep muddy hole, but now it’s not so muddy and I can start to climb out

I have treatment resistant depression and I have been doing ketamine infusion therapy since 2021 and it saved my life. So happy that you found a treatment that helped you! You exude such a positive energy ❤❤

I sympathise and empathise with Gwendolyn completely. 16 years old has been a complete game-changer for me in terms of my own depression - I don't feel alone anymore, and I hope Gwendolyn is doing well too.

Such a lovely person, and a courageous one. I whish her all the best and happiness she can find.

Mental condition conversations are so thought provoking and useful for anyone interested in such things because that's what life is all about. Good interview. Thank You.

What a lovely video to find on this channel. Kind of like a light in the dark. I'm in my late 20s and have suffered from depression since about 12. It's a daily struggle just to survive, so it's uplifting to see how Gwendolyn has overcome and it gives me hope that the rest of us can also reach our potential for life.

I felt so sad for her when she said “I’m not pretty” when she actually is. It really sucks how we by default believe our thoughts when a lot of times we really shouldn’t. Happy she found treatment. Wishing Gwendolyn continued healing and true self love.

I've been battling deppresion all my life. It sucks seeing everyone around you enjoying life, and you're not able to enjoy it with them. I also feel stuck in my life.

This story definitely hit home for me. My wife and I recently found out that our 12y/o daughter has been depressed and we found online posts of her talking about ending her life. She, too, has high anxiety and there isn't a specific "trigger" that makes her sad/upset most days; she just generally isn't happy. She has spoken with a doctor, who was quick to diagnose her with ADHD and start writing scripts. My daughter felt like the anxiety medicine helped her focus, but that the anti-depressants actually made her more depressed, so she's no longer taking them. It's scary to think that she's this young and already feeling punched down by life, and I sometimes feel hopeless and wish I knew the magic "fix" to make it all better and give her the happiness she deserves.

As someone who has suffered from depression, this person is so articulate & insightful! And beautiful! :) Thank you for sharing!

Depression isn’t easy, if you’re misdiagnosed it sets you back because you’re prescribed medications that are useless and if you don’t have a good support system life can be difficult.

Such a frustrating place to be stuck. Very relatable.

What an excellent interview and she is helping so many people by doing this interview....

as a schizo affective person, id rather have mania or a short strong psychosis than a period of depression, its horrible. i can relate a lot to her and learned some new insights from this video

I definitely struggle with depression and have since 3rd grade,I'm 62 now and on disability. The doctors tried every medication known to man, which did absolutely nothing .I've lived as a loner my whole life without ever having a goal,dream,passions,or relationships .I've attempted suicide more than once when I was young,which resulted in hospitalization. The years behind me are far greater than the years that are left,so I'm grateful for that

As someone else who had their life changed and arguably saved by TMS thank you so much for posting this video and thank you to Gwendolyn for sharing her story. I hope TMS continues to become more widely known about and helps others as much as it helped Gwendolyn and I!

Didn’t know antidepressant withdrawals was a thing but knowing it exists helps me understand so many incidents my mom had growing up and even currently !

What a beautiful young lady. It's so nice to see someone exit the tunnel that is depression. Been there done that.....exercise is the key that helped me. I'm 64 years old and just like Gwendolyn.....depression followed me around like a storm cloud on and off my entire adult life......and still does from time to time. I'm not a medical professional, but you look *so* damn happy :-) If you ever need support at some point or someone to talk to, I'm sure that if you contact Mark and let him know you need some folks for moral support....there's a lot of us that would be honored to help you on your journey. Your smile is worth a million bucks:-) Keep up the good work.

i wish everyone who is in the depths of depression could watch this interview......she makes you want to keep trying....your beautiful Gwendolyn! Thank you❤

a person who has suffered from depression understands exactly what she is talking about

I’ve dealt with Major Depressive Disorder since I was in grade school, I’m 54 now. It is a horrible way to live and has set me back in relationships, my career, financially. It is a monster that will someday take me. I’ve just accepted that. One day I will have had enough.

I feel like you making this video is being a huge advocate for so many people suffering depression and anxiety!! Thanks Gwendolyn 😊

I don't remember feeling as happy for someone I don't know as I do for this beautiful young lady... Makes your heart smile!

i'm just crying from her smile and energy. it's so beautiful to see that se is happy. i've been batteling deprission on and of and just so glad she is better.

This video unfolds brain chemistry imbalance and more hope for happiness for those who suffer. My husband, who is an MD, has been through major depressive episodes that surely would have resulted in death. Electro Convulsive Therapy saved his life. He inherited this condition that manifested in his mid-sixties. He remained episode free for nearly 18 years with no medication. Long story. Suffice it to say he is a living example of overcoming this brain chemistry imbalance. Thank you for posting Mark 👍

What an amazing story! Very glad i had the opportunity to watch Gwendolyn's story, and thank you Mark for making it possible.

Oh how I know how she felt. I’ve struggled with depression since a child. My parents either didn’t notice or care. It came and went throughout my life. I’ve been on every med that exists, did TMS and ECT. Nothing helped lift the low mood. I’m managing to live with it and pray some day it will lift. I’m so happy for this girl. I hope she never experiences it again.

I’ve just had a quick search for this treatment in the UK for my son. It looks as if it’s around £5000 for 20 sessions, and unlikely on the NHS. Gwendolyn was correct to emphasise that she was very lucky. I’m so glad for her, her joy is infectious ❤

Such an articulate explanation of true depression - what a fantastic video! Depression sufferers tend to be quite intelligent, emotionally empathetic and vulnerable. The hardest part is that we WANT to succeed, be happy, prosper. We usually have big goals and a diverse array of hobbies and interests, but the intense weight of depression makes it virtually impossible to follow through. Being unendingly tired/weak, having mind fog, and the horrendous weight of the dark empty world that depression puts you in keeps you from accomplishing your goals. It’s so HEAVY, the feeling and a weird combination of anguish, emptiness, fear, and apathy. Many depressives think of death as like, a comforting option, if it gets too bad.

She has a pretty smile, a smile that is genuine straight from the heart ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

May she always be happy.

I think there are many different types and causes of depression. I believe most people have dealt with depression in one form or another for sometime in their lifetime but this young lady must have had an extremely rare cause / genetic disposition to have such extreme depression at such a young age. I am very glad she found her magic bullet and I pray her mood never gets anywhere close to where it was before. I could only imagine what a fall that would feel like coming from where she is now. I hope she can find someone to share that happiness with and make this world just that much brighter. Thank you Mark for another wonderful interview.

I started Lexapro this Summer and it’s honestly hard to imagine going back. I think my thing was more about anxiety than depression, but I definitely got to a point where I had no desire to keep on top of tasks at work, at home, etc. and I became very forgetful about important events happening. Before Lexapro, I had been dealing with a lot of death and grief and around my family and friends and I think it just put me in a rut I couldn’t escape from. Now I have a similar outlook to Gwendolyn here, and when she said she can “see color” she was spot on. I have more motivation now than I’ve had in years and I feel like I can actually move through life without having my brain spiral so bad and so often even over the most inconsequential things.

This is so incredibly interesting! When she mentioned not being able to feel an endorphin high from exercise that was an 'aha' moment. Neuroscience and Endocrinology are fascinating. I pray this interview gives Many people profound insight into their own mental health. So happy Gwendolyn was blessed with successful treatment. I did find it ironic that in the opening of the interview she expressed neither of her parents "had ever suffered from mental illness or depression"...but later revealed her mother suffered from anxiety that required medication. Gwendolyn, it is a true Blessing for every person, that has had and will have, the privilege of witnessing your inner and outer beauty and your infectious smile and laughter!! May God Bless You Richly. Know you are Loved here and Beyond. ❤️🕊️ Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

I've been depressed for probably 13+ years now and I'm 23 years old. I had never heard about this treatment before even though I have a psychiatrist and have had a lot of therapists through all those years (maybe because I live in Brazil, I don't know how that works here). I've been taking SO much different medication throughout all those years and I just feel like it keeps me "stable", more like a zombie tbh. I'm SO glad about this video because now I feel like something can actually help. Thank you SO much Mark for all the amazing work and content you've been putting out and thank you so much Gwendolyn for sharing your experience!! When I read "recovered depression sufferer" I just thought "no way this is real" cause up until now I really had just accepted the fact that I was never going to be happy, or truly happy, and that depression is simply incurable. I think about death 24/7 and have been trying to k1ll myself since I was 13, but it has never worked because I have an amazing mother and doctors who are always able to bring me back to life. Well the point is, after watching this video, now I really feel like something may work and I can't wait to discuss it with my doctor, so thank you so much

Such an important topic to cover. Thank you for shining a light on this subject. The depression & suicide rates have skyrocketed in the past couple years.

She is absolutely gorgeous. Glad she is doing better😊

I go through much the same as her, have since 2005. Things have improved for me recently, but I've still got battles to fight. I'm glad she seems to be doing well, I related to this so much from the therapy, the feelings and even the names of the drugs. All power to people like us.

I cannot wait to look up that treatment. Thank you! ❤

So happy for you Gwendolyn, Wish you all the best.

It’s tough living with this but I still push through

Thank you so much Gwendolyn for your bravery honesty and really taking the time to learn about, and not giving up in finding solutions. I am grateful for people like you. Be well. Thank you for sharing your journey on swu. Love and light to you always in your lengthy amazing life journey. ❤🕊️🤗

What about people with depression that have only one supportive parent or no family or friends to count on? What about people that don't get the brakes this person has gotten and was given medication that only made things worse? What about people that have been melancholy at best their whole lives? But I am glad she received the help she needed and is doing better and now we know about TMS. I've never heard of that before.

Thank you for sharing your story, Gwendolyn! How fortunate you are to have found relief so young! Thank you for your work, Mark.

This is beautiful to see.....and Gwendolyn don't ever believe you are not beautiful or funny. You are clearly an intelligent young woman....but look at you now. You just radiate positivity. I wish you a long, happy & beautiful life xxx

Gwendolyn your interview was so needed today. I have been on Lexapro for about 3 months now. It has helped me. I'm 65 years old. In the early 80's President Reagan closed a lot of mental health hospitals in America. We need to get more funding and change laws in our country addressing mental health. Sending you love and light ✨️💖✨️

Good for her! So glad to see she found a solution to leading a higher quality of life.

I love her! My son had TMS and helped so much!

im gonna do TMS for depression soon and this video gives me hope. Thank you! The girl also seem very genuine and real

How amazing! She describes it with such eloquence. Any sufferer would know that it is a difficult thing to describe given the symptoms, thank you! It is truly an inspiration.

OOOHHH MY GOD! I told my friend last year that "it feels like my brain is eating itself because its so f*kn dark in there"- wow! Ive never heard anybody else describe it like that! Ive had this my entire life (47 now) along with Childhood PTSD and severe ADHD. Gets harder everyday of life and I can not afford actual good care.

I’m so thrilled for Gwendolyn and I hope others can benefit from this treatment 😊❤️✌️

I had a similar experience on Zoloft. A life saver. Talk therapy can rarely treat hard core depression

Being diagnosed as chronically depressed and BPD at the age of 28, this is what taking lexapro for the first time felt like, now it’s worn off a bit and I do feel some numbness but it’s still better than living in a slow silent flame

But you are beautiful, so glad you are doing well and heard your story. My adult son has been battling depression, going thru all the antidepressants and their side effects.... very awful feeling. This will probably be my son's next step.

I never met anyone who's "recovered" from depression. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Aww I love how you feel now Gwendolyn , I´m so happy for you and the people around you :)❤

it is great she was able to get through this. and i hope anybody going through this gets through easily and well. you all can do it.

When I first saw the cardigan with the "shrooms" embroidery, I thought for sure she was going to talk about magic mushroom aka psilocybin. I am glad she had relief with TMS.

Thank you so much. You are absolutely right, one size doesn't fit all. And its a struggle just to begin to reach out to go to your first therapy appointment. And when you realize how good you are with your mask, (which you're sooo use to having on to survive), its a let down when they don't SEE you. Even when you try to shake the mask off, they still don't see it and wonder why you are there...Hard to try it again. Just like when doctors close their eyes and point to a new med in their book, and say "lets try this one"...uuggh😑 Thank you so much for your insight and your hope and beauty. 💙🌎

You’re very pretty Gwendolyn. Congrats on your recovery and I pray you don’t re-visit those dark times.

Good story glad things are better

Such a beautiful young woman and story, it’s nice to see her smile and laugh.

This was a VERY well story to cover! Made me have goosebumps and cry and smile all at once through this whole video. Such a smart beautiful human on this earth but had to go through the most horrible illness some of us will suffer with. Thank you so much for this one.

Ive been taking antidepressants for around a decade and occasionally I'd run out of my medication paxil the withdrawal is brutal crying and brain zaps i experienced its horrible so i know what she means exactly 💯.

Thank you this is such a wonderful story and I’m sure this young woman has a happy life in front of her.

Thanks for sharing this Mark. Again I'm admiring your interaction and this helps understand depression that some people feel.

That was very interesting and it changed my perception of certain things. Thank you.

But you don’t “recover” from depression, you have highs and lows, it doesn’t just go away.

I think the frustration for me being chronically depressed and having shitty health insurance is these options aren’t available. Medication is what available. I’ll take it.

Sweet young lady I hope she doesn’t go through more depressive episodes. I’ve battled depression, anxiety and OCD for decades and been through medications and several rounds of ECT. I find consistent relief if not elimination of my depression by keeping my gut health in balance with prebiotic foods (high fiber fruit and vegetables) and probiotic foods like yogurt and unpasteurized kimchi or sauerkraut. Dysbiosis may be the key in many people’s depression and anxiety.

Thanks for sharing your story, Gwendolyn.

Thanks for sharing. It’s enlightening to see. Very educational also.

My son 16 just sounds so similar. I shared this video with him. I hope he watches it entirely…so encouraging. Thank & God bless you both😊🙏

30 years of depression. Dysthymia for 20 years then 10 years of darkness. Felt like a 30 lb weight hung from my heart. Figured it would kill me like a heart attack. Some ideation but figured the one goal I had was to get to the end naturally. One day I met a woman. She was sunlight. The darkness lifted. Have not had a moment of depression for 7 years now - no medication either.

God-damn, this is such a beautiful story that I was brought to tears. May all beings be well...🙏

Good for her. Good to know depression is treatable.

Somehow i missed the notification about this video months ago. But am glad you re-posted the link recently Mark. I just watched this and saw an amazing, brilliant, and articulate young woman shining through the screen! How I wish more insurance companies would get on-board, so that countless people could try TMS or some of the other new treatment modalities out there. When it's all about Big Pharma's greed, which goes hand-in-hand with a majority of doctors and insurance companies, it is hard to buck the trend, and people continue to suffer. Can you please provide updates on this lovely young lady, and others who have suffered and been filmed by you before. I have still so many of your videos to watch, and I do when time permits. You provide an important public service where us viewers get a glimpse into lives of those you interview, and it truly "humanizes" rather than provides a text-book-view.

The reason psychiatrists have us try various meds, is because they are searching for the one, or the combination, that is successful in our treatment. One size doesn't fit all, so to speak. I know firsthand that this can be frustrating, but it is similar to other illnesses where the first medication doesn't work and you and your Dr. have to try another. I have suffered with treatment resistant depression and have experienced the need to keep searching with my doctor until we found the right meds for me. Getting healthy again required a number of things in my "toolbox." Along with meds, it took a skilled therapist, some supportive friends and family members, exercise in moderation such as walking and a ketamine treatment known as Spravato. At first I didn't understand how each of these things would help, but I was so sad and running low on hope that I gave it a try. This was the combination I needed. Thank you God! I had

When I was 11 I had my first depressed episode. I have a family history of depression, bipolar, alcohol dependence. My grandmother had shock therapy back in the 50s. I believe every once in awhile, I get a short manic episode, but about 99% of the time I have the dark cloud following me. Exercise helped to an extent, but now that I also have a chronic health condition (endometriosis) it's very difficult for me to work out without suffering. But it's not all bad. I've learned to except I'm very introverted and my hobbies that I enjoy don't involve other people. I would say the worst parts for me are social anxiety and working. If I can one day write books and work from home, I'd be a little happier. Also, chronic illness doesn't help depression at all. But I don't take any medications and therapy didn't work for me. I try to put everything I have into hobbies and other things, although it's hard when you don't even feel like getting out of bed.

I was the same age she was when she went to her mother: I went to my father and IMPLORED him to send me to a different school. I had used up every ounce of my own strength, soldiering through day after day (had been suffering about 4 years). I had never humbled and bared myself so deeply, weeping before my father-I had never needed something SO badly. Tragically I wasn’t heard; nothing was done: I was told that ‘running away from my problems’ wasn’t going to help me… Looking back, I now see that depression and dread thoroughly swamped me; it did so for another 2 years.😢 I didn’t fit in and was a painful target for ridicule. I only ever assumed that it had to do with my broken family (but we probably were no different than most). So shame was the vehicle that such darkness rode in on, keeping me wretchedly bound and alone. High school was my 2nd chance, and I grabbed it: a new location, new friends, and no shared history! I suddenly had a life and warm acceptance through a community of youth that we called ‘the gang’. I came out of the shadows and enjoyed friendships and connection, though I still had to fight through overcoming my own inner script that was never my original blueprint. A personal relationship with the Lord and agreeing with how He sees me is what has saved and changed me!✨

Girl, you're beautiful. Don't listen to the voices in your head that say you aren't.

That was beautiful!! I love that you found you way to the right treatment. And I couldn’t agree more about the promise of psychedelics, especially for veterans and first responders! Thank you for your beautiful share ❤️