They were like, “What are you talking about? You’re putting what where?”
Sanders: You’ll meet Steve, a retired firefighter in Texas, who used to wake up in the middle of the night, unable to shake the feeling that he was about to die.
Steve: It’s like you’re standing on the edge of a cliff and the cliff is crumbling beneath you. And it’s like you could fall at any moment.
Sanders: And you’ll hear from Grace, a college student in California, who spent years feeling numb and disconnected from the world.
Grace: It’s like I’m playing a video game of my life, and I’m just watching it happen.
Sanders: All of these people, like Jon, volunteered for deep brain stimulation because they had tried everything else and nothing had worked. They all took a leap of faith, trusting that scientists could find a way to help them. And in a way, they were all right.
Jon: So, when you’re that low and that desperate, you’re willing to take a shot on it. You’re willing to try because you don’t have anything else to lose.
Sanders: Join me as we dive into the science behind deep brain stimulation, the risks and rewards of this experimental treatment, and the stories of the people who took a chance on it. This is The Deep End, and these are the stories of the brave souls who ventured to the edge of our understanding of the human mind in search of relief and hope.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. You are not alone, and there are resources available to support you. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
Thank you for listening to The Deep End. Stay tuned for more episodes and be sure to subscribe and share with your friends and family. Together, we can spread awareness and support for those struggling with mental illness.
From the outside, Jon seems like a typical suburban dad. He loves sports, spends his weekends coaching his kids’ teams, and has a garage full of gear to prove it. But there’s a part of Jon’s story that sets him apart from the average dad – Jon has been battling severe depression for over a decade.
Jon’s journey with depression has been long and arduous. He has tried countless treatments, from medications to therapy to electroconvulsive therapy, with no relief. But then, he found a glimmer of hope in a clinical trial at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Scientists there were experimenting with deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for severe depression, and Jon decided to give it a try.
DBS is a cutting-edge technique that uses tiny jolts of electricity to reset and repair brain circuits that have gone off course. The idea is to retrain the brain’s neurons to work together in a way that they haven’t in a while. While DBS is not yet FDA-approved for treating severe depression, the results from early trials have been promising.
For Jon, DBS was a last resort. After years of suffering, he was willing to try anything that might offer him relief. And so far, the results have been life-changing. Jon now has the ability to feel emotions that have been absent from his life for a long time. He has experienced moments of joy, laughter, and connection that he thought were lost to him forever.
But the road to recovery has not been easy. Jon has had to confront stigma around his depression and its treatment. He has had to grapple with questions of identity and selfhood, wondering if these artificial pulses of electricity are changing who he is at his core. And he has had to navigate the ups and downs of being a participant in a groundbreaking research study.
Through it all, Jon has found hope. Hope for himself, hope for his family, and hope for the millions of people around the world who are struggling with severe depression. His story is not a simple one, but it is a story of resilience, courage, and the power of science to transform lives.
As we continue to grapple with a mental health crisis, stories like Jon’s are a reminder that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. With innovative treatments like DBS on the horizon, there is reason to believe that a brighter future is possible for those who are suffering. And for Jon, that hope is worth everything.
Jon: That moment with my son was a wake-up call for me. It made me realize that I couldn’t continue living like this, not just for myself but for my family too. I needed to make a change.
Sanders: And make a change he did. Jon underwent brain surgery to treat his depression. It was a risky procedure, but Jon was willing to take that chance in order to reclaim his life.
Jon: The surgery was a turning point for me. It was a difficult road to recovery, but I knew it was the right decision. I had to fight for myself and for my family.
Sanders: And fight he did. Jon worked hard in therapy, taking each day as it came and slowly rebuilding his life. And through it all, he never lost his love for coaching and being a part of a team.
Jon: Coaching is my passion. It’s where I feel most alive and connected. And now, after everything I’ve been through, I appreciate it even more. I love being able to help kids grow, not just as players but as individuals too.
Sanders: Jon’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking help and not giving up, no matter how tough things may seem. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and support from family and friends.
Jon: I’m grateful for every day now. I know how precious life is, and I’m determined to make the most of it. Coaching is my calling, and I’m excited to see where this new chapter takes me.
Sanders: Jon’s story is one of courage, strength, and hope. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light waiting to guide us through. And for Jon, that light is the joy of coaching and being a part of a team.
Jon’s struggle with depression was not just a mental battle, but a physical one as well. He described feeling the weight of it in every cell of his body, like a poison that never left. This intense physical manifestation of his depression was a constant presence in his life, making it difficult for him to see a way out.
The upcoming episode of The Deep End will delve deeper into Jon’s experience with depression, shedding light on what it felt like in his mind and body, and what ultimately led him to that fateful street corner in New York City. The podcast, hosted by Laura Sanders, aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and provide resources for those in crisis.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a valuable resource that offers support and assistance to those in need. It’s important to reach out for help and know that you are not alone in your struggles.
The Deep End podcast is a production of Science News, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The team behind the podcast works tirelessly to bring important stories like Jon’s to light and provide a platform for discussion and education on mental health issues.
As we continue to explore Jon’s story in the upcoming episode, we encourage listeners to share the podcast with friends and leave reviews to help spread awareness. Your support is crucial in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and providing a safe space for those in need.
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Deep End, where we will further explore Jon’s journey and the impact of depression on his life. Remember, help is always available, and you are never alone in your struggles. Reach out, speak up, and know that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.
