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ECT does it work

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Posted 4/5/2016 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Is ECT effective?
Id like to know as a last resort
Posted 4/5/2016 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sad,

I have heard that it works for some and not for others.

Have you tried coping skills? Dialectical Behavior, Cognitive Behavior, meditation, mindfulness skills, etc....

These skills, take some focusing and work, however are a life saver for those of us that have depression and SI.

The skills must become part of our daily lives to be effective along with the medication.

I wish you the best
Peace
Trina
Posted 4/5/2016 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Have you done a google search for more info on this, Is your counselor talking to you about this? Might be something to talk about with your counselor...
If it can help it might be worth it, but you should read up on it and find out all the info you can, it might be too new yet to have a lot of data to find, so also talk to your counselor about it...
Posted 4/5/2016 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Char,

ECT is has been around for a long time. It is electric shock treatment, done more humanly. The doctors but the person under so your do not feel any pain. and the level of electricity is highly controlled.

Peace
Trina
Posted 4/5/2016 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
There are a couple of people here who have had ect I think. I am sure when they read this they will respond.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/6/2016 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
hi, yes it is effective. but please remember it is a last resort treatment for resistant depression, and that you have become at risk, not just in thought or actions of risk, but in terms of total shut down and not eating or drinking. ECT is done over a course of treatment. 2-3 first week and a bit followed by further treatments. 6 is known as a course. it is very short, more time in prep. you are asleep, either I or both polars of the brain are done. like 2 seconds and it is over. the seizure is just minor, just little finger and toe trembles. yes memory can be effected afterwards, albeit in the main it returns. it is a quick acting procedure with very conclusive results for most.
Posted 4/8/2016 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard it is effective but that it has to be done periodically - it's not just a one time thing. I am considering it also as I am tired of living with this albatross around my neck. I want to feel normal and not always so sad.
Posted 4/8/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
no, it can be just a course. some have maintenance ECT instead of medication and or less medication.
Posted 4/11/2016 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
I had ect last yr. I did not like it at all and it was not at all effective.
My medication stopped working. I am so worried i will never feel better
Posted 4/11/2016 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Carlarenee,

There is a lot we can do to help ourselves even if medication isn't working. Learn coping skills, meditation and controlled breathing. Mindfulness helps a lot. So there is hope even if medication isn't helping much.

Welcome to the forum.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/11/2016 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
Depression is hopeless. Mindfulness , i am mindful of my depression so that is nothing new, and the other crap you mentioned is so good.



We aren't allowed to discuss suicide on this forum. Please review forum rules...

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 4/11/2016 8:05:56 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/11/2016 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
National Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
This is a combined network of the Amerian Association of Suicidology, the National Hopeline Network, CONTACT USA, and many other organizations. Call are automatically routed to the nearest crisis center to the phone from which the call for help is placed.

Helpful Web Sites:
Suicide Hotlines (listed by state)
Suicidal.com (includes Suicide Crisis Center and Depression and Suicide)
www.teenhelp.com/teen-suicide/teen-suicide-help.htm
http://www.selfinjury.com/index.html


Please check out these resources Carlarenee. I am sorry you are feeling this down. I advise you to call somebody or go to the er.
Posted 4/11/2016 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
i am not bad enough for our er. Therapists dont work.
Posted 4/12/2016 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
ECT is highly effective but has long term side effects .It is highly painful too.Long term side effects I have are Fibro,muscle troubles,memory troubles .

Also depending on situation depression can return back.As in my case.

I am living example of its success.
Posted 4/12/2016 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Cilly,

Cant you keep going for regular maintenance for ECT?
My dr was saying you can keep getting treatments in increments if needed.
Posted 4/13/2016 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
carlarenee

as with any chronic illness, it is a longer term process and the person who has it, must 'own' it. By that I mean we have to acknowledge it will not go away, so we best deal with it and NOT let it control our lives.

Better if we control the illness.

Coping skills do work if a person uses them daily. There are enough skills out there that will work for somebody. There are the odd day where we just have to hug the ice pack.

If you have a good therapist, therapy does work. AGAIN, it is not a race it is a marathon. A person has to put the hard work in to get the benefit out. YES it is extremely hard work and I would not wish it on anyone. But there it is, I have been doing it for 5 years.

Cry, stamp your feet, yell, do whatever you feel like. When you are ready, you will finally deal with your illness.

Peace
Trina
Posted 4/13/2016 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Trina is right, it does take hard work. We are all a work in progress.

We can't just hope something works, we have to help things along. 30 years of fighting depression here. The thing is we have the power. We can get better, but it isn't a magical thing, it is hard work and not giving up.

I see a person worrying about the future, you have had people tell you advice. Nobody knows the answers. It is up to us to try to keep a good attitude and live one day at a time. Be happy for the day you are experiencing. And leave it at that. Hope that the next day will be just as good or better. Stay in the now... Worrying just makes you more depressed. It isn't easy, I know, I was a worrier. But all it did was make me more sick.

Take advice from people who have been there. You are on a healing journey, you just have to participate.

Best wishes for a wonderful day...

Sadgirl, I wish you the best...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/13/2016 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
that is good advice. I am still a loser. I know i will never get better and accept it. My therapist is awful and i am not going to start over with new therapist.
Posted 4/13/2016 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
You are not a loser. Just incase nobody has told you. Try to learn to be more optimistic. What would make you happy?

Why do you think your therapist is awful and if they are why would you not want to change them?

Learn to appreciate the small stuff. It really is wonderful...

Hugs, Karen...
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