Electric convulsive therapy...help

My sister suffers from depression, severe anxiety and addiction. She is again in hospital. She is just about homeless and helpless. The psych nurse suggested to my mom that ECT may be a good option for her. She has been on EVERYTHING and done therapy a million times. any thoughts?

I am sorry 2mom but I have had to edit part of your post due to forum rule #1. any discussions of suicide or self-injury, or threatened or intended physical harm.  Discussions of suicide or self-harm that are deemed negative and therefore potentially injurious to others are also not permitted.  I do hope you understand why I have edited this...Thank you ~ Elisha

Post Edited By Moderator (els) : 4/15/2007 9:03:00 AM (GMT-6)

Hi 2mom, welcome to healing well forum.  I am very sorry for all your sister and your family is going through.  I assume she is being followed up by a psychiatrist while she is in the hospital?  ECT is usually given as a last resort treatment, for some people it can be effective.  In my opinion, I would make sure that she has had at least a second opinion before begining this as there can be long term effects from this.  Depending on what her diagnosis is, how long she has had it and what medications/combinations of medications has been utilized with her and if they were or were not effective would be a considering factor when deciding if ECT treatments are necessary.  There are many differant combinations of medications that can be used to help a wide range of disorders. 

Shy left you a very good link on this topic.  To that I am going to add another for you from the American Psychiatric Association.  I hope it helps and please do post again and let us know how she is doing.  Take care

http://www.psych.org/research/apire/training_fund/clin_res/index.cfm