ECT
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Most of the people who end up doing ECT are about to die without it anyways. For most, ECT is the thing that literally saves their life. Furthermore, for most of these persons with severe refractory depression who resort to ECT, their memories and cognitive functions are ALREADY severely fucked up by the DEPRESSSION. Major problems with memory and cognition are hallmarks of severe clinical depression. So…the people doing ECT are going into it usually with memories that are already fucked up just from having their brains deteriorate from untreated clinical depression. Think ECT causes brain damage? Well long term, untreated clinical depression causes actual PHYSICAL changes in the brain! Yes, thats right…the brain actually physically changes shape and function in those with untreated major depression. Let it go and go and go and that depression will become chronic and permanent. If anything, ECT probably improves the overall memory and cognitive function of those with refractory depression. And even if it does not improve the memory, at least the depression is lifted and they can eat, sleep and generally function again. So what if the ECT causes some short term memory loss? BIG DEAL! To be honest, I would gladly trade some permanent mild loss of memory to permanently and completely get out of depression! You sound like a scientologist type. Eric I asked my Psychiatrist "what good had come out of our endless meetings?" He took me outside the office and showed me his brand new red Porsche. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
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i would not do that exept as a last resort. Try pot, it might help. make sure there is plenty of munchies and watch some comedy movies and soon you be back to your old self. Uh huh… I suppose it hasn’t occured to you that chronic marijuana use can *cause* depression. Why not just tell people to get liquored up every night?
Oh, get real. You’re comparing apples to oranges.
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I meant to say permanent brain memory loss IS what I have seen with ECT.In the mental health field and vitamin industry , things don’t have to be proven to work to be utilized.Its very subjective.You know how effectiveness is established? People going back to work? or peoples brains being burnt out thus nothing is felt? Anybody can say anything , in a way that sounds presentable but in the end, most people know the truth.For instance facts can be manipulated as in the Oj murder trial,with lawyers suggesting Oj did not do it but most sane people know Oj did it..Most sane people are telling you NOT to take ECT.
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I am interested in anyone’s experiences with ECT, good or bad. I hear it is effective in cases of depression that are extremely chronic and resistant to treatment with medication. Any comments? Escootir
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Prove to you? How is this? Those who had ECT are not rich.Those who administer it are probably. How can you prove things when you are dependent on meds or in getting work? Is there any money for researchers to prove it doesn’t work when the whole science is begging for more dollars as people find alternative methods of treatment and insurance funds dwindle.There is no sane reason to have researchers prove ECT doesn’t work,I have no reason to tell people to watch out , except I will agree that the results at best are temporary and most likely people will have permenent brain function.IHAVE SEEN THE RESULTS , DONT buy into it if at all possible and if you have any hope of getting to a better existence in the future.
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: How can you prove things when you are dependent on meds or in getting : work? Is there any money for researchers to prove it doesn’t work when : the whole science is begging for more dollars as people find alternative : methods of treatment and insurance funds dwindle.There is no sane reason : to have researchers prove ECT doesn’t work,I have no reason to tell : people to watch out , except I will agree that the results at best are : temporary and most likely people will have permenent brain : function.IHAVE SEEN THE RESULTS , DONT buy into it if at all possible : and if you have any hope of getting to a better existence in the future. What’s worse, just anyone could build his own ECT power supply and get some anesthetic over the counter. Add a microcontroller, and you could even do it yourself! If there ever was a quack procedure this is it. — Pursuant to US Code, Title 47, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, ‘227, any and all unsolicited commercial E-mail sent to this address is subject to a download and archival fee in the amount of $500 US. E-mailing denotes acceptance of these terms.
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It’s really no joking matter. The after-effects are awful. Yours Truly, Dominick
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And, Eric, you’ll get the pre-shock barbituate, which can be a bonus.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, honestly ECT sounds like fun to me. I have already decided I am going to probably try it at Duke ECT unit soon. I suspect my "rehab" from the trauma of going through ECT will be a few visits to the Crazy Horse Saloon strip club where I will pay a stripper for a "private dance" where after she has showed me her nude 19 year old body up close, I will tell her I just had electric shock therapy. She will either get scared shitless or it will turn her on…most likely she will get scared shitless. Then, I will leave and go back home to go to work for the first time in over two years. My goal is to find a hot girl who actually thinks ECT is cool and the idea of it turns her on. Once Ive done that, I figure my life will get better whether the ECT works or not. Im going to start a swingers club where to get into it you have to have had ECT "A medal for me, a body bag for you." Colonel Charlie Beckwith US Army Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
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Well, honestly ECT sounds like fun to me. I have already decided I am going to probably try it at Duke ECT unit soon. I suspect my "rehab" from the trauma of going through ECT will be a few visits to the Crazy Horse Saloon strip club where I will pay a stripper for a "private dance" where after she has showed me her nude 19 year old body up close, I will tell her I just had electric shock therapy. She will either get scared shitless or it will turn her on…most likely she will get scared shitless. Then, I will leave and go back home to go to work for the first time in over two years. My goal is to find a hot girl who actually thinks ECT is cool and the idea of it turns her on. Once Ive done that, I figure my life will get better whether the ECT works or not. Im going to start a swingers club where to get into it you have to have had ECT "A medal for me, a body bag for you." Colonel Charlie Beckwith US Army Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
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i had ect in spring 98 and it worked very well. i had it again in summer 99, and at the time i didn’t think it worked. looking back though, i think it did. i went back to work, and coped. probably i will be having ect in the summer of 2000 as well.
Please don’t try it at home. tarzac
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fking unbelievable but not the first time I heard that.Where is anyone to stop this madness? (In case you didn’t read the post in alt.support.depression) I hope the person who posted that feels better and thanks for that description.This is not the first time I have heard that, Get it ?
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I have "moderate" memory impairment (formally assessed by a neuropsychologist), and I’ve learnt to compensate for it– most of the time, anyway. My severe depressions are far more disabling than my cognitive problems. I believe it’s possible to live well with fairly significant degrees of memory loss– *if* you’ve learnt appropriate compensatory strategies. Most people with ECT-induced memory loss, however, are *not* taught compensatory strategies. Rather, their claims of permanent memory loss are dismissed, without neuropsychological assessment. That’s negligent, IMHO. People "consent" to ECT *without* being told the risk of permanent side effects– being inaccurately told, in fact, that the risk was very low. Then, when they *do* experience problems after ECT, their complaints are dismissed. They’re not appropriately assessed. And they’re not given the benefit of compensatory techniques that would make it possible for them to cope more effectively. Even if the risk of permanent cognitive/memory changes after ECT *is* as low as 1 in 200– and the anecdotal evidence, at least, suggests it’s *much* higher than this– people who *do* complain of ECT-induced memory loss should *not* be dismissed. They should be able to get the same sort of assessment and rehab as people with similar complaints after (say) a motor vehicle accident.
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i had ect in spring 98 and it worked very well. i had it again in summer 99, and at the time i didn’t think it worked. looking back though, i think it did. i went back to work, and coped. probably i will be having ect in the summer of 2000 as well. I am interested in anyone’s experiences with ECT, good or bad. I hear it is effective in cases of depression that are extremely chronic and resistant to treatment with medication. Any comments? Escootir
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:A grand mal is a grand mal, whether or not your muscles are relaxed. The 
nly difference is that the electricity introduced interrupts the memory :process and storage process. The seizure is the same. : :Jennifer, :confused at medical ’science’ today : Jennifer, : I’m very sorry for the suffering your mother has had to endure : over her lifetime. In the 60’s and 70’s a lot of unnecessary shock : treatments, as well as lobotomies, were given in an attempt to : control "undesirable" behavior. Many people suffered greatly at the : hands of a sadistic mental health system. Thank God we’ve come a long : way in 30 years. Have we really? Instead of talking with people who are emotionally upset we hand em a pill. Where’s the logic in that? Pretty soon will be we eating food that is compressed into pills? Is this America’s and the rest of the world’s love affair with pills? : ECT today is a lot different than it was back in the 1970’s. Much : less electrical shock is delivered for a shorter period of time, the : number of treatments are far less, and Grand Mal seizures are no : longer a part of the process. Medications are given beforehand to Yes they are. there are a few different types of seizures, ie complex partial seizures, simple partial seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures, as examples. Besides febrile and myoclonic seizures which are not generalised, the only seizure type that is generalised and causes the type of disturbance that the doctors consider theraputic are tonic clonic, or grand mal. I have them often. Succinylcholine or some other skeletal muscle relaxant is used, along with anaesthesia, luxuries which weren’t afforded for my mother in 1970, and the shape of the wave of alternation of the electricity (square wave, straight outta the wall sine wave AC, etc) has changed. I agree with this. But has it reduced the damage done to the brain in any amount? Has it changed the ‘clinical’ effect? Has it reduced the amount of memory lost to the electricity? Has anyone done a study to see, or do they continue to shock because it makes a lotta money fast, blindly unquestioning to what they are actually *doing* to people? : minimize the seizures as much as possible, and usually the only : seizure activity seen is a slight jerking of the toes and eyelids. Thats what skeletal muscle relaxants such as curare, tubocurare, and succinylcholine do. : I want you to understand that I am in no way suggesting that ECT is a : good thing. I would have to be at the absolute end of my options : before I would even consider it. I have seen one doctor order it for : a young lady who was requesting it. This young lady did not need ECT. : She has BPD, and should have never been given shock. It did not help : her one bit, and the doctor who ordered it should have been fired for : ordering it. Of course. It rolls in a lotta dough for hospitals who aren’t making enough money, and for psychiatrists who like their 50.000$ cars and swimming pools behind their mansions. Jen — ‘There should have been another way.’ -The Doctor, 1983 _Doctor Who_ http://shell.webbernet.net/~jewade01/davison.html
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:need help….advise me on going for Electro Convulsive theraphy. :already gone thru it and now suffering the consequences of temporary memory :loss. 
ls someone somewhere outthere share their experience with me. : :from :desperate gal My mom had it in 1970 against her will. 8 months of untold numbers of shocks. She lost half her childhood, and to this day cannot remember it or the time surrounding the shocks. Retrograde and anterograde amnesia did NOT go away, like they promised her. She’s 46 now, was 19 at the time, and cannot talk about it without crying. I, personally am epileptic. I developed seizures when a psychotropic med, Pamelor, reacted with a painkiller, Ultram, and gave me a grand mal seizure. Ive had them ever since, mostly at night, thank god. I can tell you theyre no fun. Emotionally, each time i have one my control and my will go to hell and i am euphoric for a week, and then a blubbering baby thereafter. Sometimes it completely reverses the antidepressant effect of my Effexor. Sometimes i crash, realising my mortality and realising what happened to me. I dwell on it, terrified. My point is, WHY DO THIS TO SOMEONE on *PURPOSE* ? A grand mal is a grand mal, whether or not your muscles are relaxed. The only difference is that the electricity introduced interrupts the memory process and storage process. The seizure is the same. Jennifer, confused at medical ’science’ today — ‘There should have been another way.’ -The Doctor, 1983 _Doctor Who_ http://shell.webbernet.net/~jewade01/davison.html
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I believe I have failed miserably. We have a disease that can not truly be understood by people who have not suffered it. Besides it is so different in each of us that no classification truly works. To me one of the ways is to study the disease and after having a true knowledge than we can more easily talk with psychoanalysts and friends. There is a psychologist, very renown that has written a few books, the interesting thing about her is that she suffers manic-depression herself. Her name is Kay Redfield Jamison. I went ones to the USA and obtained all the literature that could have helped me. I never read everything I had. I promise here in front of you that I will. I wish to make a difference in this field, with out your help I will never be able to. Please help me, read, lets get together
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Eek, did no-one really reply to this? 
They did on my server. 
Which server, this one or the "D" one that runs like treacle on valium and keeps falling over? Just curious, maybe they got cancelled before I could collect them or maybe they’ve got somehow misthreaded, I *thought* Netcom had caught up from the various glitches around the electronic world. Got any message IDs to email? It’s generally regarded in the UK as a treatment of last resort, after all medications and other treatments have been tried. Okay, clever-clogs, when did we give up surgery? The merkins still hack into other people’s brains as a last resort, why don’t we, eh?
Er, perhaps because the cure’s worse than the disease? Seriously I don’t know, it’s not exactly something many people talk about. Anyone got any stats on lobotomies? — The opinions expressed herein are mine and not those of my employer, even though I am self-employed.
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Hi, Had over 50 treatments for severe depression. Also had problmes with memory, but the ECT helped the depression so much that it made the memory loss more bearable. Frustrating, but bearable. My son asked me if I had Alzhiemers. Made me feel really bad. You aren’t alone. There are plenty more of us out there. Hang in there and take care. Jane
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need help….advise me on going for Electro Convulsive theraphy. already gone thru it and now suffering the consequences of temporary memory loss. Pls someone somewhere outthere share their experience with me. from desperate gal Eek, did no-one really reply to this?
They did on my server. It’s generally regarded in the UK as a treatment of last resort, after all medications and other treatments have been tried.
Okay, clever-clogs, when did we give up surgery? The merkins still hack into other people’s brains as a last resort, why don’t we, eh? Mind you, they buy the privilege for themselves. Amazing what you can get the medibusiness to do if you pay them, isn’t it? I’ll bet one could have a nice, see-through bone-dome fitted, just like those transparent clock- cases. I wonder if that would make mind-reading easier or more difficult? — The opinions given above may be mine. They might also just be what I feel like saying right now, okay?
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need help….advise me on going for Electro Convulsive theraphy. already gone thru it and now suffering the consequences of temporary memory loss. Pls someone somewhere outthere share their experience with me. from desperate gal
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I would like to know if anyone here has gone through ECT treatments? If so, did they help you or make things worse? I have an appointment for a consultation about ECT on June 6th and I would like to know anyone’s past experiences. Thank You, Victoria
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I would like to know if anyone here has gone through ECT treatments? If so, did they help you or make things worse? I have an appointment for a consultation about ECT on June 6th and I would like to know anyone’s past experiences. Thank You, Victoria
Although I have no input to your question….. personally im curious as to how ECT is supposed to work?, what is it supposed to do to your brain / nervous system (apart from the obvious zapping)? and how is it supposed to fix/cure/help anything at all? Wurm
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to know if anyone here has gone through ECT treatments? If so, did they help you or make things worse? I have an appointment for a consultation about ECT on June 6th and I would like to know anyone’s past experiences. Thank You, Victoria Although I have no input to your question….. personally im curious as to how ECT is supposed to work?, what is it supposed to do to your brain / nervous system (apart from the obvious zapping)? and how is it supposed to fix/cure/help anything at all? Wurm
The answer is they don’t know how it works… They just know it works. It’s a last resort kind of thing. They tend to use a thing called "unilateral ECT" which is a shock administered only to the right side of your brain. They’ve found that this reduces the amount of memory loss while still affecting the depression.
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I had ECT 2 years ago. I answered a post last year that asked about the same thing, and saved it to my hard drive. If you’d like a copy of I’d be more than happy to let you know how my treatments were, and how I feel they helped or not. Heather – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to know if anyone here has gone through ECT treatments? If so, did they help you or make things worse? I have an appointment for a consultation about ECT on June 6th and I would like to know anyone’s past experiences. Thank You, Victoria
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I would like to know if anyone here has gone through ECT treatments? If so, did they help you or make things worse? I have an appointment for a consultation about ECT on June 6th and I would like to know anyone’s past experiences. Thank You, Victoria
Good luck with your consult Victoria. I had 9 ECT treatments back in 94, and although it was not successful for me, there were several other patients in the hospital with me at that same time who did benefit greatly from it, and nearly immediately. It sounds scarier than it is. It is nothing like the old movies where you jerk all over the table. At the most, your fingers and toes will twitch a little. Of course, you will be pleasantly unconscious, so none of this will matter to you. :-) Unlike another girl who responded, I did not have any painful shots beforehand. They simply gave me the anesthesia and did the treatment and I woke up. I had slight memory loss and not much else in the way of side effects. Was even able to attend therapy sessions the rest of the day on the days I had treatments (normally 3 days a week). I guess it’s different for each person. The most important thing here is to be open minded. If you have tried everything else, and you are suffering and have been suffering for a long time with little or no relief, then it is WORTH TRYING. It helps alot of people. Not everyone…but it’s worth the try when you’ve tried everything else. Good luck Victoria! Cindy (Used2Be) "Every day is a gift from God…that’s why it’s called The Present"
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve never really heard ECT being referred to as a cure, long-term or short. What I have heard is that it sometimes helps individual’s who are deeply depressed (and usually imminently suicidal) and who are non-responsive to others forms of therapy. In some such cases, ECT temporarily (perhaps only a matter of days or weeks) provides some measure of relief from the acute state of depression after which other forms of therapy may have a better chance of helping them. that’s pretty much how it was explained to me, and how it worked for me. i think it jump started me to a place where the meds could start working. before ect, it felt like the depression was so entrenched, no anti-depressant could begin to touch it. i know ect is drastic, but crisis times call for drastic measures. it was a last-resort to me, but as such it served its purpose. i’d do it again if i ever get that badly depressed again.
I am glad to know that you feel ECT helped you and that you’d have the courage and ability to choose to do so again if you found it necessary. I am curious, since much of the anti-ECT rhetoric addresses it, if you had any noticible negative effect from your ECT, such as short or long term memory loss and so forth. Stating that you did does not diminish the fact that, in your case, ECT helped. =Jaguar= Visit Jaguar’s World – "http://www.jagworld.com"
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Hi I’m new to this Newsgroup & I dont speak english very well.
Hi, and welcome. Don’t worry about your English, most everyone misuses it in one way or another! I’m really interested in ECT I’m SURE IT HELPED ME A LOT in my fight vs depression, but no one seems to have a clear word on it.
I am glad to hear that you feel ECT was of benefit to you. Some people, but not everyone, do benefit from ECT. f by "clear word", you mean to ask if there is unilateral consensus that ECT is a viable form of treatment, then the answer is NO. There is no "clear word" on it. The use of ECT has many proponents and many opponents both within the professional medical society and without. Adding to the controversy is that within both groups, most of the people involved only have second-hand information or have only observed its effects — be they good, bad or neutral. Here in Italy we have a "anti-ECT" association ! I’ve discussed with them via e-mail but they only are radicals and don’t listen to others.
Think of ECT along the lines of the abortion issue. Some people will always think and believe that it is wrong, others will always think and believe that it is a matter of personal choice. Thankfully, we live in a place where personal choice is held in higher regard than personal views on morality and ethics. =Jaguar= Visit Jaguar’s PSYCH CENTER "http://www.jaglair.com/play/jag-psyc.htm"
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Hi I’m new to this Newsgroup & I dont speak english very well. I’m really interested in ECT I’m SURE IT HELPED ME A LOT in my fight vs depression, but no one seems to have a clear word on it. Here in Italy we have a "anti-ECT" association ! I’ve discussed with them via e-mail but they only are radicals and don’t listen to others. Mario
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those cases are not as rare as you may think. And no, Anna is NOT lobotomised. If you were to scan her brain, you’d find her frontal lobe is still perfectly intact. You’ve scanned hers? You sound like you REALLY know.
Nope, I haven’t. I don’t need to. I think she’d know if she were lobotomised. And I’m fairly sure she’d have mentioned it. I have paid full attention to the reports coming out giving hope that the brain can heal itself. Perhaps shock damages but many people heal (in varying degrees) from this iatrogenic insult, hmm?
and perhaps it doesn’t damage everyone, hmmmm? The scans would have to be don directly before and after ECT to detect any shock damage. Actually there is a near-equal chance of atrophy of the back of the brain as well, for some reason. One would think the temporal and frontal lobes would be the only areas affected, but this is not so.
yeah, and some of the headbanging I did as a teenager has probably given me braindamage too, but it’s not definite. And no, it’s not why I have depression. I had the depression before I was a teen. THAT DOESENT MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA and just because in the past people were harmed by it, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea either. PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE HARMED BY IT. If anything, the "doses" of voltage are higher with the newer machines–the chance of significant brain, personality and memory damage greater.
tell me, do you go out of your way to yell at people or is it just me? I mean, penecillin is just mould which grows on food… how many people were harmed by eating mouldy food????? From brains to bread. 
I don’t think mold on bread is the same thing as penicillin. Someone do correct me if I’m wrong.
I never said it was… I was just making a comparison between that sweeping statement and the one about ECT all being wrong. Look, I don’t want to argue with you. I know I’ll never convince you to agree with me, and you’ll never convince me to agree with you. So let’s just let it go, ok? I won’t try to talk to you about it again, and you don’t tell me about it and then we’ll both be happy. Oh, and in case you think you’re trying to prevent me from ever having it, you don’t need bother. My psychiatrist has said quite clearly that he doesn’t think I’ll need it ever or benefit from it. I just didn’t like anyone telling Anna that she’d been lobotomised, that’s all. Let’s just let it drop. — wolfbitch Laz Spashett "damaged people are dangerous, they know they can survive"
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those cases are not as rare as you may think. And no, Anna is NOT lobotomised. If you were to scan her brain, you’d find her frontal lobe is still perfectly intact. You’ve scanned hers? You sound like you REALLY know.
can’t you accept that maybe there are people it *has* been beneficial to?
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that’s pretty much how it was explained to me, and how it worked for me. i think it jump started me to a place where the meds could start working. before ect, it felt like the depression was so entrenched, no anti-depressant could begin to touch it. i know ect is drastic, but crisis times call for drastic measures. it was a last-resort to me, but as such it served its purpose. i’d do it again if i ever get that badly depressed again.
anna sweetie. haven’t seen much from you lately. i remember a while ago you were contemplating having more treatments. are you o.k. now? purrs form, kitty
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I’ve never really heard ECT being referred to as a cure, long-term or short. What I have heard is that it sometimes helps individual’s who are deeply depressed (and usually imminently suicidal) and who are non-responsive to others forms of therapy. In some such cases, ECT temporarily (perhaps only a matter of days or weeks) provides some measure of relief from the acute state of depression after which other forms of therapy may have a better chance of helping them.
that’s pretty much how it was explained to me, and how it worked for me. i think it jump started me to a place where the meds could start working. before ect, it felt like the depression was so entrenched, no anti-depressant could begin to touch it. i know ect is drastic, but crisis times call for drastic measures. it was a last-resort to me, but as such it served its purpose. i’d do it again if i ever get that badly depressed again.
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those cases are not as rare as you may think. And no, Anna is NOT lobotomised. If you were to scan her brain, you’d find her frontal lobe is still perfectly intact.
You’ve scanned hers? You sound like you REALLY know. I have paid full attention to the reports coming out giving hope that the brain can heal itself. Perhaps shock damages but many people heal (in varying degrees) from this iatrogenic insult, hmm? The scans would have to be don directly before and after ECT to detect any shock damage. Actually there is a near-equal chance of atrophy of the back of the brain as well, for some reason. One would think the temporal and frontal lobes would be the only areas affected, but this is not so. THAT DOESENT MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA and just because in the past people were harmed by it, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea either.
PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE HARMED BY IT. If anything, the "doses" of voltage are higher with the newer machines–the chance of significant brain, personality and memory damage greater. I mean, penecillin is just mould which grows on food… how many people were harmed by eating mouldy food?????
From brains to bread. I don’t think mold on bread is the same thing as penicillin. Someone do correct me if I’m wrong. Unzap – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — wolfbitch Laz Spashett "damaged people are dangerous, they know they can survive"
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are you saying i’m lobotomised? um, well, yeah, i guess if you want to hear it that way, what i meant was that ect was a sort of electrical lobotomy, as opposed to a surgical one. thats a fairly reasonable and defensable position. i understand that in a few, rare cases, it might possibly be beneficial enough to be reasonably considered.
those cases are not as rare as you may think. And no, Anna is NOT lobotomised. If you were to scan her brain, you’d find her frontal lobe is still perfectly intact. THAT DOESENT MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA
and just because in the past people were harmed by it, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea either. I mean, penecillin is just mould which grows on food… how many people were harmed by eating mouldy food????? — wolfbitch Laz Spashett "damaged people are dangerous, they know they can survive"
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. At best, you might feel better for afew weeks. I had no improvement at all, and many other people report the same. It screwed up my memory — so badly I couldn’t work — for months afterward. The docs almost always understate the risk of memory damage. Some don’t, but many do. If you’re on the verge of killing yourself, then ECT might be worth considering. Otherwise, you’re taking a big risk of memory loss for the slight possibility of a few good weeks. Stuck
I’ve never really heard ECT being referred to as a cure, long-term or short. What I have heard is that it sometimes helps individual’s who are deeply depressed (and usually imminently suicidal) and who are non-responsive to others forms of therapy. In some such cases, ECT temporarily (perhaps only a matter of days or weeks) provides some measure of relief from the acute state of depression after which other forms of therapy may have a better chance of helping them. I think of it something like jump starting a car with a weak or dead battery. The jump start will get the car back into motion, but it’s not going to fix the underlying problem or situation. =Jaguar= Visit Jaguar’s Psych Center! "http://www.jaglair.com/play/jag-psyc.htm"
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The fact that you have the energy and the capacity to get on the net and ask such a quesion suggets to me that you definately do not need ECT!!! The risks far outway any benefit that you may receive. The only situations that I have seen the benefits of ECT include inpatients that have undergone extensive drug treatment with no improvement, and have ended up almost catatonic. My God the idea of this suggestion horrifies me…please find another clinician.
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of course, doing anything to the brain may make someone feel better, like giving them drugs that doesnt’ mean its a good idea either, does it? maybe youd rather we all felt bad? susan
no, i dont want `you all` to feel bad. i am, after all, one of the you all that youre talking about. once again, i feel i should apologize, but this time i have no idea what for. i didnt mean for my thoughts on the subject of ect to be taken as a personal assault by anyone; i was just offering them the way id offer thoughts against suicide, or against iv drug use, or against any dangerous behavior i was asked about by a friend. im sorry that you think that my not liking the idea of someone getting juiced is the same as wanting them to feel bad. quite the opposite is true. -matt (currently pfuque-u on irc)
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My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience.
At best, you might feel better for afew weeks. I had no improvement at all, and many other people report the same. It screwed up my memory — so badly I couldn’t work — for months afterward. The docs almost always understate the risk of memory damage. Some don’t, but many do. If you’re on the verge of killing yourself, then ECT might be worth considering. Otherwise, you’re taking a big risk of memory loss for the slight possibility of a few good weeks. Stuck
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of course, doing anything to the brain may make someone feel better, like giving them drugs that doesnt’ mean its a good idea either, does it? maybe youd rather we all felt bad? susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – are you saying i’m lobotomised? um, well, yeah, i guess if you want to hear it that way, what i meant was that ect was a sort of electrical lobotomy, as opposed to a surgical one. thats a fairly reasonable and defensable position. i understand that in a few, rare cases, it might possibly be beneficial enough to be reasonably considered. maybe you were one of those few, rare cases but ill stand by what i said, and if you want to take offense at what i said, or take it personally, then ill apologise for my bluntness, or my poor choice of wording, or whatever, i wont, however, take it back just because it relates to you, personally. ect is a last resort AT BEST, and a HUGE percentage of the ect thats been done to people has been done in error. if youre happy with it, if it helped you, if it was good for you, then im happy for you and i wish you luck on your continued good mental health, however, if you take a depressed person and beat them in the head with a shovel till theyre unconcious and half dead, when they get out of the hospital they may feel a lot better. that doesent mean its a good idea. if you take a depressed person and shove an icepick in their head and slash their brain all to shit, they may feel much better afterwards. that doesent mean its a good idea. if you take a depressed person and fry parts of their brain with electricity, when they get out of the hospital they may feel much better. THAT DOESENT MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA
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are you saying i’m lobotomised?
um, well, yeah, i guess if you want to hear it that way, what i meant was that ect was a sort of electrical lobotomy, as opposed to a surgical one. thats a fairly reasonable and defensable position. i understand that in a few, rare cases, it might possibly be beneficial enough to be reasonably considered. maybe you were one of those few, rare cases but ill stand by what i said, and if you want to take offense at what i said, or take it personally, then ill apologise for my bluntness, or my poor choice of wording, or whatever, i wont, however, take it back just because it relates to you, personally. ect is a last resort AT BEST, and a HUGE percentage of the ect thats been done to people has been done in error. if youre happy with it, if it helped you, if it was good for you, then im happy for you and i wish you luck on your continued good mental health, however, if you take a depressed person and beat them in the head with a shovel till theyre unconcious and half dead, when they get out of the hospital they may feel a lot better. that doesent mean its a good idea. if you take a depressed person and shove an icepick in their head and slash their brain all to shit, they may feel much better afterwards. that doesent mean its a good idea. if you take a depressed person and fry parts of their brain with electricity, when they get out of the hospital they may feel much better. THAT DOESENT MEAN ITS A GOOD IDEA
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are you saying i’m lobotomised? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – um, that shit is evil tell that doc to fuck off and get another one an electrical lobotomy, ugh fuck that it makes me mad to think that anybody would recommend that to anybody
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i had ect back in march of this year, and it worked well for me. i kept diaries of the time, and these are posted on the web. using key words ect and anna, and my old email address as the author and you should find them. alternatively, they are at http://depression.miningco.com, although i’m not sure where on that page they are, apart from in the section on ect. bottom line is, if i get that depressed again, i’ll have ect again, although it’s not something you’d do for fun. i’m pretty sure i’d be dead i f i hadn’t had it. if i can give you any more info, email me. good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. Thank you. Steven My pdoc is also recommending ECT, saying it efficacy is almost guaranteed. I am also interested in others’ experience with it. Thanks.
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My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. Thank you. Steven My pdoc is also recommending ECT, saying it efficacy is almost guaranteed. I am also interested in others’ experience with it. Thanks.
www.ect.org There is a forum where people have posted their experience with shock.
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My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. Thank you. Steven
um, that shit is evil tell that doc to fuck off and get another one an electrical lobotomy, ugh fuck that it makes me mad to think that anybody would recommend that to anybody
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My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. Thank you. Steven
My pdoc is also recommending ECT, saying it efficacy is almost guaranteed. I am also interested in others’ experience with it. Thanks.
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My Dr. is recommending ECT and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it and if so would be willing to share your experience. Thank you. Steven
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I have heard of a situation where the ECT machine wasn’t working, and the shrinks used it for years, not knowing. Anna paints such a benign picture of a truly horrid event (the passage of only slightly modified wall-socket voltage through a live human brain) that I wonder if the machine they use on her wasn’t old and broken down.
i *saw* the machine. it sure didn’t look old. i was walked through the whole treatment room and shown the testing log book. treatments at charing x hospital take place on mondays and wednesdays, and the machine is tested on mondays before the first patient. Also consider that in controlled studies using a placebo, called "sham ECT" many people reported that helped them too.
oh sure. just go ahead and invalidate my whole experience. ect was really scary and a really *really* difficult decision to take, and i don’t need you or any other fucken asshole coming and saying that after all that i didn’t even get it. We are happy that she found the electroshock (if that’s what it was) helpful for her but for most, a benign and safe procedure it most assuredly is NOT.
who is ‘we’? you don’t sound happy that i found it helpful, you sound like you don’t think i was even given ect at all. well fuck you if you are so closed minded that you can’t even consider that it does help some people. i’ve never invalidated your pov. i’ve never said ‘ect is totally safe and works for every one’. granted i only know 4 people who’ve had ect, including myself. one of them had it in the 1950’s, and it was *not* good for her. the other 3 of us have had it much more recently than that and *all* of us felt like it was really beneficial. not a cure, not a panacea, but helpful in times of real crisis.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am glad to know that you feel ECT helped you and that you’d have the courage and ability to choose to do so again if you found it necessary. I am curious, since much of the anti-ECT rhetoric addresses it, if you had any noticible negative effect from your ECT, such as short or long term memory loss and so forth. Stating that you did does not diminish the fact that, in your case, ECT helped. i certainly didn’t have any *lasting* negative effects from the ect, which was what, prior to the treatment, i was most worried about, having read a lot of anti-ect material. immediately following each session, i felt sick (but i always feel sick after general anaesthetic), and had a pounding headache. the headache went away with normal painkillers (ie aspirin). i had one minor episode of memory loss. a friend came round to see me on the evening after i had had a treatment in the morning, and i forgot about it. other than that, no noticeable side-effects at all.
I have heard of a situation where the ECT machine wasn’t working, and the shrinks used it for years, not knowing. Anna paints such a benign picture of a truly horrid event (the passage of only slightly modified wall-socket voltage through a live human brain) that I wonder if the machine they use on her wasn’t old and broken down. Also consider that in controlled studies using a placebo, called "sham ECT" many people reported that helped them too. We are happy that she found the electroshock (if that’s what it was) helpful for her but for most, a benign and safe procedure it most assuredly is NOT. Unzap see SHOCKED www.ect.org Unzap
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I am glad to know that you feel ECT helped you and that you’d have the courage and ability to choose to do so again if you found it necessary. I am curious, since much of the anti-ECT rhetoric addresses it, if you had any noticible negative effect from your ECT, such as short or long term memory loss and so forth. Stating that you did does not diminish the fact that, in your case, ECT helped.
i certainly didn’t have any *lasting* negative effects from the ect, which was what, prior to the treatment, i was most worried about, having read a lot of anti-ect material. immediately following each session, i felt sick (but i always feel sick after general anaesthetic), and had a pounding headache. the headache went away with normal painkillers (ie aspirin). i had one minor episode of memory loss. a friend came round to see me on the evening after i had had a treatment in the morning, and i forgot about it. other than that, no noticeable side-effects at all.
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Dear Readers, Drs. said it would cure me. Instead it’s reduced me into a bumbling moron. What should I say? Yours Truly, Dominick
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Sorry you’re having a bad time with it, too. I’m still deciding what I should do about it. I’m not sure I want to go back in another week for more outpatient ECT. My husband is pushing for me to continue. I hope you’re decision comes easier than mine is. -lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Readers, Drs. said it would cure me. Instead it’s reduced me into a bumbling moron. What should I say? Yours Truly, Dominick
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Anti-depressants and talking have failed, anyone can give me any info on Thanks Since you won’t be told about the serious risks of ECT on the standard "informed consent" forms or by doctors making their living doing this treatment, ECT is something you really have to do your own hard work and research on.
Do you know what the various UK procedures are for informing and consulting patients, Unzap? Do you know whether this would be private or NHS treatment? If it is private, do you know which facility it is? Do you know which consent form will be used, and what it will say? If not, how do you know what you say? — The opinions given above may be mine. They might also just be what I feel like saying right now, okay?
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Anti-depressants and talking have failed, anyone can give me any info on Thanks
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Anti-depressants and talking have failed, anyone can give me any info on Thanks
Since you won’t be told about the serious risks of ECT on the standard "informed consent" forms or by doctors making their living doing this treatment, ECT is something you really have to do your own hard work and research on. I suggest you start at www.ect.org
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In general, I have found ECT to change my mood for the better and get me away from the "pits of depression". You may require a series of 4 or more treatments before you see results. Usually given, in my situation, every other day, like MWF. It takes no great bravery– the worst thing I went through was putting the IV needle in my hand. Mostly you’re not aware of anything. I did however have one treatment that was much worse than the others and really wiped out my memory. It took about 2 months for it to get back close to normal. Usually there is loss of short term memory-events close to the time of the treatment. However, sometimes there seems to be no loss of memory. These are simply my observations on the approximately 10 treatments that I have had. Sometimes people have to get regular treatments periodically to stay healthy. Good luck. Dennis
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I, for one, am NOT an advocate for ECT. I had a 12 session "set" in 1996. It did not remove or lighten the depression. What it did was remove a rather large chunk of my memory. Before ECT I was told that there "might" be some memory loss but that it was short term and would come back—-BULLSHIT!!! Just my experience– daz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anti-depressants and talking have failed, anyone can give me any info on Thanks
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There are at least as many people who report a negative experience and outcome from electroshock. You’re taking your chances. You could very well be one of that very large ‘minority’ (over 30%) that finds themselves to be irrevocably damaged. Every possible harm that has been found to result from electrical injuries and lightning strikes is also possible from the "therapy" of having you brain electrically shocked. Think about it. I have posted a list of the adverse effects of electric shock on Juli Lawrence’s "Shocked forum;" you can refer to it there. www.ect.org Furthermore, shock can damage that part of your brain which makes your own personal assessment of how well you are doing. Many shock survivors THINK they are functioning better than they actually are, from the viewpoint of their family members and others outside themselves. For example, you may not realize you have memory impairment, but it would show up on comprehensive neuropsychological testing to assess your memory. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In general, I have found ECT to change my mood for the better and get me away from the "pits of depression". You may require a series of 4 or more treatments before you see results. Usually given, in my situation, every other day, like MWF. It takes no great bravery– the worst thing I went through was putting the IV needle in my hand. Mostly you’re not aware of anything. I did however have one treatment that was much worse than the others and really wiped out my memory. It took about 2 months for it to get back close to normal. Usually there is loss of short term memory-events close to the time of the treatment. However, sometimes there seems to be no loss of memory. These are simply my observations on the approximately 10 treatments that I have had. Sometimes people have to get regular treatments periodically to stay healthy. Good luck. Dennis
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I had ECT this past July after being on multiple medications and combinations of them that weren’t effective. I had to stop after I believe 8 treatments due to becoming manic (which I have never been before). Then a week later I crashed big time, then a couple weeks later I snapped out of that, and have been doing okay ever since. I am currently on Prozac, something that I have taken in the past which originally worked but then didn’t. The docs tell me that the mania/crash I had were a result of the ECT and then I stabilized afterwards, so I guess I can give it credit for helping me out. As for the short term memory loss, I don’t remember much of anything during the treatment, just bits and pieces. It stopped though shortly after. The biggest thing I had problems with was names. I couldn’t remember the names of some of my coworkers, some of whom I worked with for many years. I could see their faces, I could tell you about their personal lives that they had told me about (ie husbands names, how many kids and their names and ages, where they graduated from college,. etc.) but it was so weird not to be able to remember their names. But I have had no problems with that anymore, that lasted about a month. I work as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit, and I am currently back to work (after being watched by a coworker when I first went back) and never had any problems remembering my job at all. Only at the time of the treatments and the names shortly after I stopped. I’m glad I did it, I have been depression-free since the last crash in August and would do it again. Hope this helps, Sherri
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Anxiety doesn’t have to be clinical.
For sure. It just seemed like a bizarre sort of question to ask. Ought one be nervous? [snip] This may not apply to you, but I thought any information might help.
It was useful. Thanks. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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you can still be nervous, even if you don’t have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety doesn’t have to be clinical. I haven’t had ECT, but I asked my pdoc about it once and he said if nothing else worked he’d be happy to use it on me – he’s had a few patients use it and they’ve had a pretty good rate of success. He said it’s usually used as a stalling tactic though – to ease the depression and keep you safe for long enough to find another med or some sort of treatment that works. This may not apply to you, but I thought any information might help. Kylie.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – are you nervous about it? No. I have depression, not anxiety. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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I’m going as a day patient although I was offered in-patient. I’ll have treatment twice a week for 4 or 5 weeks.
good luck with it
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when do you start? will you be an in-patient?
Whenever it can be arranged. A couple of weeks, probably. I’m going as a day patient although I was offered in-patient. I’ll have treatment twice a week for 4 or 5 weeks. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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For sure. It just seemed like a bizarre sort of question to ask. Ought one be nervous?
some people get nervous going to see their doctor or dentist. Many people get nervous at the thought of having any type of medical procedure carried out. I went to have an endoscopy a couple of years ago and i was as nervous as hell. I only asked because <to me it seems like a big step, not one taken lightly and i thought it may be anxiety provoking for you. Obviously I was wrong.
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I saw my psychiatrist this morning. We agreed I’m medication resistant and so I’m going to have ECT. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Bri
Nothing could ever make me agree to that, are you sure you wanna do that? Talk to LisaInMass.
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If you’re at the end of your rope, you would do anything, or choose death. I’m thinking of having it done as well. I will ask my therapist(seeing for the first time today)what he feels about it. All the best with your choice, what-ever it is.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I saw my psychiatrist this morning. We agreed I’m medication resistant and so I’m going to have ECT. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Bri Nothing could ever make me agree to that, are you sure you wanna do that? Talk to LisaInMass.
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If you’re at the end of your rope, you would do anything, or choose death. I’m thinking of having it done as well. I will ask my therapist(seeing for the first time today)what he feels about it. All the best with your choice, what-ever it is.
I’ve been "at the end of my rope" and I would still not do it. but that’s me, I had family support, everyone’s situation and needs are different. good luck to you and Bri.
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Well, there are a lot of people who are worried about the reprecussions of
ECT. And some people are worried about going out their front door. There is always that anti-ECT spam we get around here, and some people get
worried about the short term memory loss. I have short-term memory loss as a symptom of my depression. Lisa in Mass had this treatment. She could probably tell you more about
it. I hope she might. But sometimes this stuff conjures up the thoughts of the more primitive
treatments of mental illness that did more harm than good. Unlike poisoning oneself with chemicals that alter our brain? Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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some people get nervous going to see their doctor or dentist.
Yes. Pathetic, isn’t it? Many people get nervous at the thought of having any type of medical
procedure carried out. Yes. Pathetic, isn’t it? I went to have an endoscopy a couple of years ago and i was as nervous as
hell. Ah, this post is about you. I only asked because <to me it seems like a big step, not one taken
lightly and i thought it may be anxiety provoking for you. Ah, this post is about you. Obviously I was wrong.
Yes. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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The
biggest thing I had problems with was names. I couldn’t remember the names of some of my coworkers, some of whom I worked with for many years. Was that a form of aphasia? I’m glad I did it, I have been depression-free since the last crash in
August and would do it again. That sounds positive. Hope this helps
It does, thanks. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Nothing could ever make me agree to that
Try depression. are you sure you wanna do that?
Absolutely. I want to be well and I will attempt any treatment. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Nothing could ever make me agree to that Try depression.
It’s arrogent to assume that just because pan or some others world never agree to ECT must mean that their depression is not as bad as yours. I’m severely depressed, and I can’t believe you are more depressed than I, because my depression is quite severe, yet I would never agree to ECT. Why don’t you check out this link to see why I’d never agree to ECT no matter what. http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/Sept01/ect.htm are you sure you wanna do that? Absolutely. I want to be well and I will attempt any treatment.
I hear that once lighting people on fire was considered an effective treatment. Why don’t you try that too? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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I’m severely depressed, and I can’t believe you are more depressed than I,
because my depression is quite severe, yet I would never agree to ECT. So you would rather be depressed than well? Your depression can’t be that bad then. Why don’t you check out this link to see why I’d never agree to ECT no
matter what. http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/Sept01/ect.htm
I read it. Which bit is meant to interest me? Absolutely. I want to be well and I will attempt any treatment. I hear that once lighting people on fire was considered an effective
treatment. Why don’t you try that too? Because I stick to proven techniques, properly applied. Why are you so fearful of treatment? Do you believe in witchcraft? Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Good luck with it all. If you would like a more detailed account just let
me know. Please. I know you will have something useful to say. Post or email. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing could ever make me agree to that Try depression. It’s arrogent to assume that just because pan or some others world never agree to ECT must mean that their depression is not as bad as yours. I’m severely depressed, and I can’t believe you are more depressed than I, because my depression is quite severe, yet I would never agree to ECT. Why don’t you check out this link to see why I’d never agree to ECT no matter what. http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/Sept01/ect.htm are you sure you wanna do that? Absolutely. I want to be well and I will attempt any treatment. I hear that once lighting people on fire was considered an effective treatment. Why don’t you try that too?
A wonderful and coherent explanation of your viewpoints, Jack. Thanks! Darren.
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Whatever you end up doing, good luck, Brian.
Thanks. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Are you sure you’re just not running from something hoping electricity will fix your cowardice?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I saw my psychiatrist this morning. We agreed I’m medication resistant and so I’m going to have ECT. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Are you sure you’re just not running from something hoping electricity
will fix your cowardice? Yes, that’s it. I never missed a single therapy appointment, little boy. I stood there and faced my demons. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore..(I’m not really as
angry as that sounds) You think I care? Why do you keep telling us about all the things you won’t do to get better. No meds, no therapy… you sound like a bit of a loser. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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Nothing could ever make me agree to that Try depression.
I have tried the taste test and haven’t liked it much and would still not do that. yes, I’d rather live with depression than become a zombie and forget my name, I admit. check out; www.dendrite.com are you sure you wanna do that? Absolutely. I want to be well and I will attempt any treatment.
I hope it works for you, I know some people who think it helped them, so maybe it will help you too.
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No. I have depression, not anxiety.
when do you start? will you be an in-patient?
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so I’m going to have ECT.
are you nervous about it?
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are you nervous about it?
No. I have depression, not anxiety. Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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I saw my psychiatrist this morning. We agreed I’m medication resistant and so I’m going to have ECT. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Bri — All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. –Arthur Schopenhauer
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To those who have had ECT, I’m curious as to how you felt as opposed to taking medication?
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I started with ECT in early 96. I had tried every anti depressent on the market and nothing worked. At that point it was literally either ECT or die. It helped. I had a series of 12 the first time. After about 6 months, my mood started declining. I went back in and had 8 more treatments follwed by maintenance treatments evey month. It helped a lot. There was some memory loss, but I didn’t have anything I cared to remember so I didn’t mind. And it wasn’t significant in my case. It also made me more receptive to anti-depressents. I stopped having the treatments last fall because I moved and the hospital here is annoying. However, I expect to have a series this summer. I’m hoping to go back to school this fall and my mood isn’t cooperating. I wouldn’t do it unless you’ve exhausted all other options. But if you’re choosing between ECT and suicide, I’d say the side-efffects of ECT are certainly better. Hope that helped, DB
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To those who have had ECT, I’m curious as to how you felt as opposed to taking medication?
Meds have caused many serious side effects, but only ECT fucked my memory so badly I couldn’t work. Hell, I couldn’t remember where the grocery store was. If you’re totally suicidal, it probably worth the risk. But I’ve never met anyone who said it worked more than a few weeks (if that) and most had memory loss (often serious and long-term). My advice: try new meds, in new combinations. Stuck
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To those who have had ECT, I’m curious as to how you felt as opposed to taking medication? I had it about 12 years ago for post-partum depression. My experience wasn’t very pleasant, and it didn’t work, but in fact made me worse. The memory loss was significant.
Did your memories ever return? My father had ECT and he forgot all the memories of being with me when I was a child, and his memories never came back, so he was in that sense alienated from me forever.
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Part of the text of a speech regarding ECT, and particularly forced ECT, given to over 400 members of an Amnesty International conference by Amnesty member Justine Morrison. "It’s not enough to quote people who say this treatment has helped them. Independent research shows that traditional ’success rates’ have been exaggerated, that they tend to apply to people who have not been forced, that beneficial effects tend not to last, and that at last some who claim to have been helped are in denial of damage obvious to people close to them. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very clear in article 5 that no-one should suffer treatment that is cruel or makes them feel less than human. This is echoed in Amnesty’s mandate which says that we carry out research and take action on cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Some things are not acceptable in a civilised society. We believe that giving electric shocks to the head against the will is one of these.’
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Hi All, Does anybody happen to know of a good study (online) of the success rate of Electro-Convulsive Therapy in treating Depression? Thanks, Kingbob.
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<< somethings are not acceptable in a civilized society ECT…also has its’ good press…it freed my cousin from harming herself & her newborn…when she started drifting into Post Partum psychosis.. Rice
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To those who have had ECT, I’m curious as to how you felt as opposed to taking medication?
The medical response to depression is authoritarian, insensitive, self-servine, and dangerious to your health. NO long term studies have been done with any of the antidepressant drugs, for example. There are millions of human guinea pigs for that, cash cows for the pharmaceutical industry. Clearly, ECT has been shown to be brain damaging, all evidence the mental health profession chooses to ignore. Unzap
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the idea of ECT. My first thought was that I was a bit young..but age aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the
I remember when I was in the hospital one time, there were 2 men that went through ECT. They both told me the benefits outweighed the bad. But it seemed the bad was mostly the fact that they lost a few days memory, seeing as they were hospitlized for those few days I didn’t see much of a loss. I know they forgot who I was after the treatments. It did seem to work for them from which they attested to. That’s my information. I hope someone has more. Opal
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Hi, I have borderline personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder…I know I also have a major depressive disorder. It’s most likely dysthemia, but that hasn’t been made clear. I’m sorry to hear you’re in a similar situation. Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi jason. i can sympathize with you on the docs–i’ve been through everyone in my town and i’m starting on the adjoining city. what do you have, depression type speaking? ~K Hi, My name is Jason and I’m 17 years old..almost 18. I have been through so many doctors and medications since I was 9, I can’t even name them all. My newest doctor (who I’m not really too fond of) has mentioned the idea of ECT. My first thought was that I was a bit young..but age aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the risks are from the people who have gone through it and researched on it, and not opinions which it seems like I get quite often. I have heard so many different views on it, I don’t know who to believe.. I would appreciate any information. Thank you. :) Jason Before you buy.
Before you buy.
Response:
hi jason. i can sympathize with you on the docs–i’ve been through everyone in my town and i’m starting on the adjoining city. what do you have, depression type speaking? ~K
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, My name is Jason and I’m 17 years old..almost 18. I have been through so many doctors and medications since I was 9, I can’t even name them all. My newest doctor (who I’m not really too fond of) has mentioned the idea of ECT. My first thought was that I was a bit young..but age aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the risks are from the people who have gone through it and researched on it, and not opinions which it seems like I get quite often. I have heard so many different views on it, I don’t know who to believe.. I would appreciate any information. Thank you. :) Jason Before you buy.
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aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the risks are from the people who have gone through it and researched on it, and not opinions which it seems like I get quite often. I have heard so many different views on it, I don’t know who to believe.. I would appreciate any information. Thank you. :)
There is a lot information with wide variation. Here is a range running from governmental through professional and patient advocate to patient activist: http://text.nlm.nih.gov/nih/cdc/www/51txt.html http://www.cpa.medical.org/Publications/Position_Papers/Therapy.asp http://www.naminc.org/consumer.htm http://www.harborside.com/~equinox/ect6.htm Look for articles on ‘informed consent’ and ECT.
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I’ve taken the liberty of reposting this as it was buried under Kim’s ECT post of Aug 15. Ed The Pewter Wizard
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, My name is Jason and I’m 17 years old..almost 18. I have been through so many doctors and medications since I was 9, I can’t even name them all. My newest doctor (who I’m not really too fond of) has mentioned the idea of ECT. My first thought was that I was a bit young..but age aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the risks are from the people who have gone through it and researched on it, and not opinions which it seems like I get quite often. I have heard so many different views on it, I don’t know who to believe.. I would appreciate any information. Thank you. :) Jason Before you buy.
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Hi, My name is Jason and I’m 17 years old..almost 18. I have been through so many doctors and medications since I was 9, I can’t even name them all. My newest doctor (who I’m not really too fond of) has mentioned the idea of ECT. My first thought was that I was a bit young..but age aside I was wondering how successful this actually is, and what the risks are from the people who have gone through it and researched on it, and not opinions which it seems like I get quite often. I have heard so many different views on it, I don’t know who to believe.. I would appreciate any information. Thank you. :) Jason Before you buy.
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Ideally, it shouldn’t be….However, it is and that is one of the reasons and Prime Motivation for a career change in Pharmacology and Medicine in general-to try and make it less of an Exact Science….But so is Oncology and other Medical Specialties. I can only put my best efforts and best foot forward…Got nothing else to loose anymore…… Mick Lechner P.S. I agree with the Second Opinion thing, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Had another ECT yesterday. The dr. wanted me to come back for another one this Friday. He must think I’m really screwed up. Esp. considering the dr. that zapped me yesterday I saw for a second opinion about ECT being the right treatment for me before I ever started and he didn’t think it was right for me. He was over ruled by 3 of my other dr.’s. Makes me wonder about the phrase "the practice of psychiatry". Are they practicing on their patients? yep, basically that’s all they can do since it’s not an exact science and they don’t really know what they are dealing with….it’s all trial and error….why do you think people are switching meds so often….of it was an exact field of medicine they would know exactly what to do, like a regular doctor would know what to do about a broken leg…..unfortunately the brain isn’t that simple and little things can have harsh consequences. That’s why it is very important people communicate with their doc or thereapist, and if you disagree with them, get a second opinion, or as many as you need to make an informed decision…..you are putting your mind in their hands, and that is not something to screw around with…. -ship
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Had another ECT yesterday. The dr. wanted me to come back for another one this Friday. He must think I’m really screwed up. Esp. considering the dr. that zapped me yesterday I saw for a second opinion about ECT being the right treatment for me before I ever started and he didn’t think it was right for me. He was over ruled by 3 of my other dr.’s. Makes me wonder about the phrase "the practice of psychiatry". Are they practicing on their patients?
yep, basically that’s all they can do since it’s not an exact science and they don’t really know what they are dealing with….it’s all trial and error….why do you think people are switching meds so often….of it was an exact field of medicine they would know exactly what to do, like a regular doctor would know what to do about a broken leg…..unfortunately the brain isn’t that simple and little things can have harsh consequences. That’s why it is very important people communicate with their doc or thereapist, and if you disagree with them, get a second opinion, or as many as you need to make an informed decision…..you are putting your mind in their hands, and that is not something to screw around with…. -ship
Response:
Had another ECT yesterday. The dr. wanted me to come back for another one this Friday. He must think I’m really screwed up. Esp. considering the dr. that zapped me yesterday I saw for a second opinion about ECT being the right treatment for me before I ever started and he didn’t think it was right for me. He was over ruled by 3 of my other dr.’s. Makes me wonder about the phrase "the practice of psychiatry". Are they practicing on their patients?
Response:
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