“My brain fog cleared within the first week.” – Emma, 27, Oulu
Emma is a 27-year-old student from Oulu, about to graduate with a master’s degree. She has lived with depression and anxiety for many years. Her symptoms started early, and during middle and high school, her anxiety was so severe that she had to complete her studies remotely.
“I’ve always been quite prone to anxiety, and I’ve had depressive symptoms for a long time. Constant worrying takes a lot of energy,” Emma says.
Over the years, Emma has tried both psychotherapy and medication. While they have helped, her symptoms never fully went away. Her daily life was especially affected by severe fatigue, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, and ongoing anxiety.
“Even though I slept a lot, I never felt truly rested. My thoughts felt stuck, and I couldn’t make progress with my thesis.”
A new option through student healthcare
Emma heard about Sooma therapy through the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), when her therapist suggested trying it.
“I hadn’t heard of it before, but I thought—why not give it a try?”
She started Sooma therapy alongside her existing therapy and medication.
Noticeable changes within the first week
Emma began to notice changes quickly.
“The brain fog cleared within the first week. That was probably the biggest change. My thoughts became clearer, and it was much easier to concentrate.”
At the same time, her energy levels started to improve. Mornings became easier, her appetite returned, and everyday tasks felt more manageable. She was also able to make progress with her thesis again.
“It became easier to get started on things when they no longer felt overwhelming.”
Emma also returned to activities she enjoys. During the 30-minute treatment sessions, it’s recommended to do something engaging, and she chose to play the piano. Over time, playing became part of her routine—and soon she found herself playing more outside of the sessions as well.
Sleep and energy levels improved
Emma had struggled with sleep since childhood—either sleeping too much, having trouble falling asleep, or waking up during the night. During the treatment, her sleep improved significantly.
“I woke up less during the night, and my sleep felt more restorative. As my energy levels improved, I no longer needed daytime naps.”
Her overall energy and physical stamina also improved, making daily life feel more manageable and bringing a renewed sense of hope.
Easy to fit into daily life
Sooma therapy fit naturally into Emma’s daily routine. The 30-minute sessions were easy to schedule.
“I usually did the treatment in the afternoon when I got home. It also became a moment to slow down after the day.”
She did not experience any side effects.
More hope and confidence in the future
For Emma, one of the most important changes was a renewed sense of hope.
“When you’ve been struggling for a long time, noticing real changes means a lot. It made me feel like things can still improve.”
She feels that the treatment has strengthened her sense of control and made it easier to look ahead—to graduation and starting her career.
“It’s worth trying”
Emma encourages others living with depression to stay open to different treatment options.
“Treating depression often means trying different approaches before finding what works. If you get the chance, it’s worth trying. You don’t really have anything to lose.”
Right now, Emma is moving toward graduation in a more stable place than before. Depression is still part of her life, but it feels more manageable—and the future looks brighter than it has in a long time.