As Ruby Wax appears on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! this year, many people have been reminded of her long-standing commitment to mental health advocacy. Over the years, she has spoken openly about her personal experiences with depression and shared publicly that she underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during a particularly difficult period in her life.
Her openness has played a meaningful role in helping more people encounter TMS for the first time, particularly those searching for alternatives to medication or long-standing therapies.
Ruby has referenced her experience with TMS at several points over the years:
2022: Instagram post
Ruby explained that she had undergone repetitive TMS during a severe episode of depression, describing how the treatment helped her recover more quickly than previous episodes and expressing surprise that TMS was not more widely known.
2023: Memoir and audiobook: 'I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was'
Ruby opened the book by describing her time in a psychiatric unit where she received TMS as part of her treatment plan. Her account offered a detailed, first-hand perspective on what TMS involves and how it supported her during an intense period of illness.
2025: Interview with The Telegraph
In early 2025, Ruby again referenced her previous TMS treatment while discussing her history with depression. While the interview did not focus on TMS specifically, it reinforced that the treatment had been part of her care during an earlier episode.
Her willingness to speak about TMS has contributed to increased awareness of the therapy at a time when many people in the UK are still unfamiliar with it.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, medication-free treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood, anxiety regulation, attention and emotional processing.
TMS is:
NICE-approved for treatment-resistant depression
Delivered with no surgery, sedation or electrical currents
Well tolerated by most patients
Compatible with everyday life — people can return to normal activities as soon as a session ends
Because TMS does not involve medication, many people look into it when they have struggled with side effects, have not responded to antidepressants, or want a non-invasive treatment option.
At Smart TMS, we use TMS to support patients with:
While depression is the only condition with NICE approval, international and UK-based studies continue to expand the evidence base for TMS for OCD, TMS for anxiety, TMS for PTSD and more.
TMS has been used internationally for many years, yet awareness in the UK remains limited. Many people only hear about TMS when researching treatment-resistant depression, or when a public figure speaks about their own experience.
Ruby Wax’s willingness to describe her treatment contributed to that awareness. Her comments helped normalise the idea of TMS as a valid treatment option — not a niche or experimental therapy, but a recognised approach supported by established clinical guidance.
For individuals who have exhausted traditional treatments or feel unsure about what options remain, hearing that others have benefited from TMS can encourage them to explore whether it may be right for them too.
Smart TMS is one of the UK’s leading specialists in transcranial magnetic stimulation. With 10 clinics across the UK, our aim is to make safe, effective and research-backed treatment available to more people.
NICE-approved TMS protocols for depression
Evidence-based and research-supported protocols for OCD, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and more
Highly trained clinical teams specialising in TMS
Personalised treatment programmes based on individual assessment
Calm, supportive clinic environments
A commitment to long-term wellbeing
If you’re considering TMS for depression, exploring TMS for OCD, or wondering whether TMS could help with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD or another condition, our team is here to guide you.
👉 Learn more or book an assessment
NICE Guidance: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg542
NHS Provider Information – rTMS for Depression
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-pages/repetitive-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-rtms-depression
Oxford Health NHS Trust – rTMS Information for Patients
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2024/02/rTMS-Version-3.0_01.pdf
Meta-analysis: rTMS for OCD – Research Evidence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35989677/
Cochrane Review: TMS for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD003387_transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms-treatment-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd