ECT

My psychiatrist has suggested that I consider ECT, because I am so unstable with moods and drugs don't seem to stabilize me.  My latest deression lasted 8 months where I was pretty much incapitated and now I am into rapid cycling.  Have any of you had ECT and what was your experience?  I find it rather scarey, but my moods run my life.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  As you can see from my signature I am on a lot of drugs.

My friend and my old boss both had ECT for bipolar disorder. My boss seemed so much more stable afterwards. My friend says it saved her life.

It can cause some memory problems in the short term. Mostly it affects short term memory, but it does go back to normal.

ECT is infinitely less barbaric than it used to be. The seizure induced by ECT nowadays is only enough to cause movement in one of your toes.

I can imagine how scary it would be to face something like ECT, but I think that the main reason it causes such distress is because of all the media representations of it, which focus on its use as a sort of punishment in asylums in the 60s. The amount of electricity used was much greater back then, and no anesthesia was used.

I think the best thing you can do is to do a lot of research on the risks and benefits of ECT.

Nof2LB...

Not much other than it has been successful for those who aren't responding well to medication.  I, too, have been hurting much too long.  Many psch hospitals use it,  It is done about 3 times a week for 4 weeks; however, some people respond much quicker.  Drawbacj k ua tempooray short tern memory loss.  When it is done you are put under, so you feel nothing.

My son works at University of Michigan hospital  as  a nurse and has talked to the ECT people who assure him it is safe and they have good results with it.  I an going yo set up a consult.  I will let you know as I get more info.  Hang in there