Electroconvulsive Therapy

didnt know they still did electrotherapy. it was very effective before modern meds came along

Hi, I have no experience with ECT but I know something about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which you might want to consider if you are scared of ECT. I have been reading up on it because one of my best friends is also medicine resistant and I helped him find a place to get the therapy done.

For TMS, you sit in a chair and they place a magnetic coil against your forehead. There is no need for anesthesia or any sedation – you are awake the entire time. It is not painful, except there have been reports of some people experiencing minor forehead pain where the magnet was pressed. There is no recovery period. You just stand up and walk out when you are done. Most patients typically need between 20 to 30 sessions, each of which typically lasts around an hour. Because this treatment has been so effective, most insurance companies are covering it. One study I read recently said it has a success rate of 70%. That's pretty good! Apparently this therapy removes your depression, although it can slowly come back between 6 months to a year, so you would need to go back for a refresher as needed.

For the record, I am not a doctor nor an expert, so please check this option out for yourself if you think you might want to try it over ECT.

-Cat

yes I have. ECT is used when you are at serious risk. it is used as a last resort treatment for very serious life threatening situations. not eating or drinking, etc. I was in this state. ECT is given as a course of treatment. 6 is a course. 2-3 in the first week, then two and one. I had a course of treatment in 2004. ECT should be administered to persons who meet the criteria, as ECT is not for everyone. ECT has been around since the 50's, I have just given a talk to second year med students regarding it. yes a sore fuzzy head for a few hours, you are lightly asleep when the procedure is done. more in the prep. you either have one or both polars done. 2 seconds and your fingers and toes give the smallest of seizure and a few minutes later you are awake. memory loss for a bit, yes, some more than others, most come back. more courses of treatment may be administered per need. some have maintence ECT.

this procedure is tried and tested, and proven, however it has it's negatives, like short term memory loss. but if you look at the side effects of the medications you are taking, ECT is rather mild. usually ECT is done in hospital (psychiatric). I had good success, and I am an advocate for it in the right circumstances. hope this helps. no, you are not going to have seizures from having it. hope this helps. scaredy cat may have referred to me. not sure, but I am happy to discuss it.

as us aussies say 'no worries mate'.

Wow thank you for your replies, Thank you Happy turtle for such detail, you said basically exactly what my Psychiatrist said right down to the toe my Psychiatrist never wanted to get into this type of procedure so he would not be the one to do it for me, it would be someone he knows very well though, and it would be 3 times a week and then as you stated it would go down.

I just received a private message from my Aunt, and my Grandmother had this done years ago and she was never right afterwards, so this scared me, I know a lot has changed in the years.

I see my Therapist on Friday she said she would talk with me about this in detail.

Thank you for your responses, I hate to think of anything being a last resort....but I am very medicine resistant and you can see my Doctor is very worried about me at the moment.

I know this is down the hole, that's what I call it when it disappears! just wanted to know how the discussion went. ECT needs de-stigmatizing.

thx for sharing. hoping you are more better soon. keep strong.

I do hope you are able to find a treatment plan that works for you and soon.

When my anxiety was at its worst (around the time I first joined this forum), I was desperate for something that worked, and ECT was one of the things that I looked into. Please do give this Youtube channel a look, because I found it very informative both in terms of how it works and the effect it has on the person making the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/?#/user/jennysectdiary

the difference is very individualistic. some fairly quick, days. some longer. there are a lot of factors and variables to consider. I was longer. take care.

Hi W77 and welcome!

It is good to see you've joined us, and are getting to know your way around the forum...reading and responding.:)

I hope you find this a comfortable and supportive place where you can be encourged, and share with other members!

Please check out our Resources for great self help material and coping skill suggestions.

...and please consider starting your own thread of introduction any time you feel comfortable doing so...

...in order for other members to welcome and get to know you better.

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat

exactly what it is used for. to save lives. if for other reasons it SHOULD not be considered. I mean check the leaflets in your medicine packets...........need I say more. and people on mixed meds.........the reduction of psychiatric meds in regards to a populous has shown a significant decrease with this treatment. meds help, stabilize, ECT is a life saver and the road to recovery for very unwell persons.