Depression is an illness, and no one is immune. In a recent CNN article, Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps shared his journey during an interview with David Axelrod on “”The Axe Files,”” a podcast from The University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN.

Phelps was quoted as saying, “”I’m somebody who’s gone through at least three or four major depression spells after games that, you know, I’ve put my life in danger,”” said Phelps, whose success at each Olympic Games was followed by drug and alcohol use. He was quoted in the interview as saying, “”I wanted to die. I straight wanted to die.””

Phelps has founded the Michael Phelps Foundation. He was quoted as saying that he “”knows that by sharing his experience he has the chance to save lives…So if I can honestly save a life or save two lives that’s all I want. For me that’s way bigger than ever winning a gold medal,””

Depression is an illness that affects more than 25 million Americans each year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

• “”Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one?? ability to carry out major life activities.””
• A period of two weeks or longer during which there is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure, and at least four depressive symptoms that reflect a change in functioning, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, self-image or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
• Unlike the definition in the DSM-IV, no exclusions were made for a major depressive episode caused by medical illness, bereavement, or substance use disorders.””

Depression is also one of one of the leading causes of suicide, and in turn, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US.

• If you follow the thread and logic, depression is also a leading cause of death in the US.
• Nearly 45,000 Americans die by suicide EACH YEAR
• 25 times that amount attempted suicide
• While these stats are for the general population, for veterans and those in active service of our country, the numbers are higher and worse…

A Sad & Harsh Reality:

It doesn’t matter whether your an Olympian, veteran, on active duty or have never served. It doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female, or in transition. You can be a mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter…pretty much covering most, if not all of us. Any of us can at some time in our lives suffer from depression.

It’s painful, it can be dark, it can feel hopeless–with no way out.

If you are depressed or think you might be depressed, reach out, tell someone. Get Help! If you’re desperate, call 911 or click this link for a 24/7 Crisis Hotline.

For those of you suffering from depression and are on medication–about 13% of all Americans according to Time Magazine, there is a pretty good chance your first, second or third prescribed medication won’t give you relief or remission. Chances are also good that the side effects of these medications will cause you side effects you won’t like, or may not be able to tolerate.

There Is Hope!

For those of you who have failed with these prescriptions…hope is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS.

• There have been nearly 1.5 million TMS treatments.
• 47% of TMS Solutions’ patients experience remission from their depression.
• With a response rate of 80%, TMS Solutions’ patients report significant improvement in their illness and quality of life.
• Most feel like they’ve gotten their life back!
• Treatment is covered by most insurance carriers.
• NeuroStar TMS Therapy is the #1 choice of doctors.
• It is FDA cleared–it is proven, drug-free, safe and effective.

If you’d like to learn more about TMS Therapy, download our complimentary brochure, “”Transforming Lives of Depression Sufferers.””