Alex’s journey: treating OCD with TMS

For years, Alex struggled with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that took over nearly every aspect of his life. His condition led to compulsive behaviors and exhausting mental rituals, making daily activities increasingly difficult.

Living with OCD

Alex was first diagnosed with OCD in 1990, but his symptoms worsened over time.

“It got so bad that I was constantly retracing my steps to see whether I’d left obstacles for people to trip over.”

Simple activities like driving became overwhelming, as intrusive thoughts forced him to repeatedly drive back and forth over the same stretch of road to check if he had hit someone. Walking along footpaths triggered fears that he had knocked people over or pushed them into canals, leading him to retrace his steps constantly. These compulsions consumed his time and energy, making everyday life exhausting.

Finding TMS and taking the first steps

After years of trying various treatments with little success, Alex’s wife, Paulette, discovered Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) after seeing it used in the U.S. She encouraged him to explore this option at Smart TMS in South Kensington.

“I’ve tried many, many treatments before, but none have really worked, so I was very surprised and relieved when Smart TMS treatment worked.”

The changes were noticeable almost immediately.

“I noticed the difference straight after the first 30-minute session. I came out into the foyer and I felt much more relaxed. There weren’t nearly as many thoughts as there were to begin with—in fact, there were very few thoughts.”

The impact of TMS treatment

With continued TMS sessions, Alex experienced a radical improvement in his daily life.

“Smart TMS has changed my life radically. I can function properly now, go for a walk, go to work. There isn’t that constant bombardment of thoughts, so I can actually concentrate on what’s going on around me. It just makes the quality of life and the quality of everything I do much better.”

For Paulette, witnessing Alex’s transformation was profound. She remembers how severely his OCD impacted him when they first met, and she encourages others to consider TMS if they are struggling.

“I would definitely recommend Smart TMS to people. If they have any doubts, they need to just come along and perhaps chat to the staff. We asked lots of questions before we came along, and I would absolutely recommend it.”

Raising awareness

Alex’s journey was featured in Portsmouth News, where he shared his experience to help raise awareness of OCD and the potential benefits of TMS treatment.

His story serves as a valuable insight for those considering new approaches to managing OCD, showing how TMS can be a promising option for symptom relief when other treatments have not been effective.