As the twinkling lights of the holiday season fill the nights and familiar carols ring through our homes, it can be bittersweet for those of us who have a spouse deployed or stationed away from home. While the world outside hums with holiday excitement, it’s easy for stay-at-home wives (and moms) to feel overwhelmed, lonely, or just plain exhausted.
But remember: you are just as deserving of joy and care during this season. Don’t let your own well-being slip to the bottom of your to-do list. This year, consider giving yourself the gift of wellness—especially if you’ve been experiencing symptoms of depression, anxious depression, or even struggling with elements of PTSD. You are not alone, and help is available.
Recognize Your Own Needs
Military life comes with its own set of challenges. Between keeping everything running smoothly on the home front, caring for children, and managing the emotional load of your spouse’s absence, you may find your mental health quietly taking a back seat.
The truth is, mental health struggles can look different for everyone. Maybe you’ve noticed trouble sleeping, persistent fatigue, or a growing sense of hopelessness or anxiety that casts a shadow over your daily activities. Or perhaps the holiday season itself intensifies an underlying depression as you think about memories and missed moments with your spouse.
This year, resolve to check in with yourself. How are you feeling, physically and emotionally? Are you experiencing symptoms that may need outside support?
Exploring TMS for Depression, Anxious Depression, and PTSD
One empowering option for treatment that has been transforming lives is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. Unlike medications that circulate through your entire body, TMS directly targets the neural pathways linked to depression and anxiety, often with fewer side effects.
- Depression Relief: Many individuals experience significant improvement in their depressive symptoms, such as pervasive sadness or lack of motivation, after a full course of TMS therapy.
- Help with Anxious Depression: If your depression is closely tied to anxiety—where racing thoughts, excessive worry, and anxiety attacks frequently appear—TMS may help by calming the overactive circuits linked to anxiety disorders.
- PTSD Support: While TMS is not a cure for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, it can help reduce some of the debilitating symptoms, such as chronic hypervigilance, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts, when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan.
Because TMS targets the source of your symptoms—the functioning of your brain—many people find they can regain clarity and even reduce or discontinue certain medications under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage
Financial concerns shouldn’t stand in the way of your wellness journey. Fortunately, TRICARE and Tirwest (as well as many other insurers) offer coverage for both TMS and Spravato (Esketamine) treatments for military dependents. That means if you’re dealing with stubborn or treatment-resistant depression, you may be eligible for these innovative, science-backed interventions.
If you’ve been curious about TMS or Spravato, or if you think it could be the right treatment approach for you, we are in-network and have immediate availability. You don’t have to face these struggles alone. Our caring team is here to help guide you every step of the way, from verifying your insurance coverage to designing a custom-tailored treatment plan.
Spravato (Esketamine) as Another Treatment Option
Another therapy that some individuals find life-changing is Spravato (Esketamine). It’s administered in a controlled clinical setting to help address treatment-resistant depression. When used alongside an antidepressant, many patients report a reduction in depressive symptoms that other treatments weren’t able to achieve. If you’re wondering about whether Spravato might be right for you, we encourage you to reach out for more information.
Making Your Holidays Meaningful
While it might feel challenging to focus on yourself, remember this: when you invest in your own mental and emotional health, everyone benefits—including your spouse, children, and loved ones. The holiday season can become a time not only for gifts and gatherings but also for rejuvenation and renewed energy.
Here are a few ways to keep your spirits lifted:
- Create New Rituals: Have a video call with your spouse and open gifts “together,” or plan a holiday movie night for just you and your kids. Building new traditions can ease the sting of a loved one’s absence.
- Embrace Community: Reach out to other families in your neighborhood or on base. Sharing experiences helps foster connection and can alleviate feelings of isolation.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Whether it’s a spa day, a new book, a cozy blanket, or just some uninterrupted time for yourself, treat self-care as essential.
- Seek Professional Support: If you feel that your anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms are becoming unmanageable, don’t wait. Early intervention can help set you on a course for quicker relief and overall better mental health.
We’re Here to Support You
No matter where the holiday season finds you, know that you have options for bettering your mental well-being. TMS and Spravato are powerful tools in battling depression, anxiety, and the challenges of PTSD—and both are covered by TRICARE and Tirwest for dependents. Our professional team is standing by, ready to welcome you with open arms and help guide you on the path toward feeling more like you again.
You’ve given so much already—this year, let us help you give something back to yourself: the gift of well-being.
Wishing you peace, renewal, and a bright holiday season.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us today to learn more about TMS, Spravato, or other support options for your mental health. Our immediate availability means you don’t have to wait to begin your journey to wellness. Let this holiday season be the start of something hopeful and healing for you. You deserve it!
