ECT and anxiety

Leah,
I wish I had a good answer for you. Whatever you decide as to ECT, be sure to get a second opinion from an unbiased psychiatrist, in other words, not one of your doctor's partners or such!
It sounds like your klonopin dosage isn't all that high as your doc says. Apparently he's aware of its addictive capacity and is doing a good job at not letting you get overly dependent on it, so try to take it and give your mind a rest on that score. I found the following information VERY interesting as it comes directly from users of klonopin themselves. Please take time to read their comments. You'll find that many are on higher doses than you are and some have used it for years without escalating to high doses.
http://www.drugs.com/comments/clonazepam/klonopin.html

I was on Xanax for many years and these days a lot of doctors won't even prescribe xanax for fear of its addictive qualities. However, I never ever became addicted and even gradually weaned myself off it altogether after my anxiety got in control. I know a lady that has been taking it for years and is not addicted. Just because you have to use a drug everyday shouldn't automatically qualify it as "addictive". Diabetics may have to use insulin everyday. Are they addicted? No. A person can sometimes build up a tolerance for a drug like xanax or klonopin. That's when it takes more and more to achieve the desired effect. But what is "addiction"? I got this off of a reputable site:
"All benzodiazepines are controlled substances, which means they have the potential to be abused and may cause addiction or dependence. Addiction, or "dependence," is when a person feels like he or she needs to continue to take a medicine, even when no medical need is present.

Klonopin addiction is more likely to occur if the medicine has been taken daily for a long period of time or in high doses. It is also more likely to occur in people with a history of alcohol or drug addiction. Because Klonopin is a controlled substance, there are special rules regarding the prescribing and dispensing of the medication. These rules are in place to help prevent Klonopin abuse and addiction."

I hope this helps! :)
jl

I have been doing ECT since October that I remember. The procedure takes away some memory. According to my husband and sister I just sat in a chair and cried with a stomach ache. My psy. referred me, and I had to go through lots of testing before the hospital would take me for the procedure. The procedure was great for depression. I do not feel horrible depression anymore, but am not cured. I have been depressed for at least thirty years. The procedure is bad for my self esteem. I hate going. I go as an outpatient. I don't feel it is helping with nervousness. Today I am extremely nervous. I would recommend considering it for depression, but I have doubts for anxiety or nervousness. I am in the midst of considering my options at this moment. I still can't get out of the house or do much housework. I feel so helpless and useless.