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"I have an elevated, consistent, greater sense of self, strength and hope."

Robin remembers her early adolescence as her first battle with depression. Her family history clearly shows a trend for depression: both her grandfather and her uncle had committed suicide. By age 13, Robin started intense talk therapy sessions but remained in a shroud of darkness. When Robin was in her mid-20s she started on the first of a litany of medications to get her out of her depression. Although she realized some benefits in the short-term, nothing provided her long-term relief.

A self-described “fighter” she continued to work and received her Master’s degree, but found the effort left her little energy for anything else. She would go to sleep as soon as she got home without making or eating dinner, and would spend entire weekends in bed.

In 1999, Robin checked into a hospital treatment program where she stayed for several months and received the first in a series of electroconvulsive (ECT) treatments. She found ECT to be very effective for a short amount of time, but its lingering effect of severe memory loss still remains. Even to this day, there are two entire years, with events such as her second marriage, that she cannot remember. She looks at pictures of herself from that time and feels as though she is looking at a stranger.

In 2001, Robin’s parents heard about a clinical study researching VNS Therapy for depression. Robin was implanted with VNS Therapy in June 2001. Within 4 months, she was experiencing noticeable improvements in her mood.

Robin decided to move to a new city where she accepted a new job as well.  She is currently taking medication and says she is doing very well. VNS Therapy has given her “an elevated, consistent, greater sense of self, strength and hope.”  She is now able to enjoy activities in addition to functioning at a high level at work, as a financial analyst. Robin enjoys exercising, hiking, sewing and is now happily dating.