Bipolar Disorder is also known as "Manic Depressive Disorder". This forum is for questions and support for people with, or for loved ones of people with Bipolar Disorder. The forum covers topics ranging from Aggressive Behavior, Affect on friends and Family,
Alcohol and
Drug Abuse, Appetite Changes, Chronic Pain, Denial,
Depression, Difficulty Concentrating, Euphoria, Guilt, Manic Depression, Medications, Mood Swings, Poor Judgment, and
Sleep Disorders
HOWEVER, over time she did get much better, she maintained her medication and therapy programme and didn't have to have ECT again. 15 years down the line she is off lithium and now on tegratol, she works part-time as a foreign language teacher, has her own flat and the old bubbly person I remember has re-surfaced.
I don't think the docs take on the use of ECT lightly.
I am sure others have different experiences of ECT and I hope they also post on here.
They give you seizures and kill off parts of the brain and results very widely and mostly temporarily.
But when treating mood disorders with medications they treat you with ANTI-seizure medications.
http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Transcranial_Magnetic_Stimulation_(rTMS).htm