Electro Convulsive Therapy

I have been treated for clinical depression by various psychaitrists and psychologists over the past 5 years.  I have been and am currently on Wellbutrin therapy.  My psychaitrist now suggests ECT, is there any other alternative?

[HFHS MD-JM]

Mr. Wilson,

           There are many different medications(and combinations of medications) that have been shown to be effective in the majority of patients suffering from depression.  ECT (electroconvusive therapy) is a very safe option commonly used when a patient does not respond to a trial with medications.  Also psychotherapy, particularly CBT(cognitive behavioral therapy) is very helpful with depression.
           I recommend that you discuss these treatment options with your psychiatrist as they have information on past treatment successes and failures.  Please refer to the forum archives and search under ECT and depression for further information related to these topics.

           I hope this was helpful.  Keep in mind that this information provided in this forum is for general educational purposes only.  Please direct specific questions to your personal physician.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: ECT,depression

[M]

Any SSRI, MAO Inhibitor, TCA is an alternative. have you been on many meds? Often MDs will suggest ECTs for someone who has exhausted the list of antidepressants. When antidepressants don't help ECT's can be a good alternative. I had 6 bilateral ECT's 5 years ago. They can help. I've been off all meds since. I know someone else who had 2 series of ECTs and goes in occassionally for a tune up of sorts. Check into the details of ECTs you may find it to be an attractive and beneficial option for you.

[HFHS MD-JM]

Mr. Wilson,

           There are many different medications(and combinations of medications) that have been shown to be effective in the majority of patients suffering from depression.  ECT (electroconvusive therapy) is a very safe option commonly used when a patient does not respond to a trial with medications.  Also psychotherapy, particularly CBT(cognitive behavioral therapy) is very helpful with depression.
           I recommend that you discuss these treatment options with your psychiatrist as they have information on past treatment successes and failures.  Please refer to the forum archives and search under ECT and depression for further information related to these topics.

           I hope this was helpful.  Keep in mind that this information provided in this forum is for general educational purposes only.  Please direct specific questions to your personal physician.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: ECT,depression

[Tim]

One might want to read themselves some of the studies that are either cursorily 'reviewed,' selectively cited or ignored by mainstream electro-psychiatry, a $3,000,000 per year BUSINESS, before swallowing hook-line-and-sinker the commonly repeated line that "ECT is a safe and effective treatment for depression." Perhaps quite safe when you are on the other side of the volts, and no shock doctor has ever volunteered for ECT themselves or given it to any member of their family. The few that feel helped are weighted into significance by those that perhaps NO ONE will ever hear from again, (because the suicide rate is GREATER for those who have recieved ECT than for those who haven't), those who are brain damaged into apathy and vegetative disability, those who are now so terrified of further "treatment" to ever dare to criticise psychiatry,  and those whose bitterness and sense of betrayal by those who take their meaningless oaths to "do no harm" knows no bounds.

One such study would be:
(actually it's testimony)

*Brain Damage and Memory Loss from ECT*

by Dr. Peter Sterling, Ph.D.
Associated Professor of Neurobiology

You can find that on Juli Lawrence's SHOCKED site at www.ect.org.

[(Rev. Mr.) Florian Yanikoski]

Shock therapy saved my mothers life in two ways:
She had several "nervous breakdowns" and reached a state of complete helplessness at about age 55.  She was so exhausted from her mental problems, loss of sleep, inability to eat, etc. that shock therapy was proposed.  Following therapy, she regained physical strength rapidly.  Although she had blank spots in her memory for a time, this was a small price to pay for the benefits.  Eventually she died at age 100 + four months.  Her recall of events, even back to childhood, was better than that of most people.  The quality of her life after shock therapy was far, far better that it had been.  In effect, she had a new life.

[anon]

HELP ME,
can anyone give me any advice/help on how to get over depression....26/M

[Anne]

I spent 5 1/2 years trying every med and med combination on the market.  I am highly sensitive to the majority of them, and that really limited my options.  At age 39, I finally opted for ECT, which my sister had done two years earlier.  I had 13 treatments, and I have never looked back nor have I had any regrets.  I'm not saying my life is easy.  If anything, in some ways it is more difficult, because I am having to learn to deal with things I've never dealt with before -- namely, emotions, which I've never felt.  I hate it, but I realize it is a part of life, and with continued therapy, I will be able to learn to accept and deal with both the good and the bad.

I don't recommend ECT for everybody. I consider it a last resort.  But if there are no other options available, a psychiatrist well-trained in the practice of ECT can do a lot for you.

Good luck.

[jean]

I have had major depressive disorder, anxiety and panic attacts
as long as I can remember. I am in my 50's, have taken every antidepressant on the market at present, and combinations of them also. I have been through counseling twice. I have recently recieved ECT, 6 treatments. I cannot say that it did not help at all, 2 months after the depression is coming back although not as bad. However I have severe memory loss and confusion. I have no motivation or energy. No interest in anything. Days just go by and I am just barely getting through them. I am scared. Is this my future? I cannot keep up with my daily life. Is this normal effect of ECT? I have a lot of responsibilities, elderly parents to take care of. My work and family, also gathering up and trying to work out payments on the huge medical bills this treatment has generated. Can anyone give me some insight into post ECT? And if this is what is causing new problems? Or are the two things not connected.Thanks in advance for any help.

[Suzi]

i had ect when i was maybe 20. i am here to tell about it today.  it did not help me.  i don't regret doing it i don't think. it was worth a try.  my illness was going on eight years and i was willing to try anything i was misreable.  i dont know if i have any perminate memory problems.  i have a hard time with time. for ex. i dont remember really how old i was. and i never can remember the actual day i met my husband. dates and years are very hard for me however i don't know if that is from the ect or not.  want to more info on my experiences
e mail me ***@****

[Bill Tatts]

Please let me know of the side effects of ECT & what percenatge of people still take further anti-depressive drugs after ECT is completed ?

[Genie G.]

I have suffered from major depression for many years and have run the gamut of anti-depressives, etc.  Two years ago I received a series of 7 of the recommended treatments.  I chose to cut it short thinking my depression level had lifted and was where I wanted to be functionally.  Through the last two years, with the aid of anti-depressants again, I find they fall short.  Again I am not functioning with the major depression.  It is my choice to again go through a series of ECT treatments.  It is my life, and I want to live it!

[David Collins]

I am currently at the mid-point of ECT treatments, that is I've had three with three to go. I have all but exhausted the available drugs on the market and was easily convinced that ECT was for me. At this point I'm not too impressed. My memory is shot, long or short term. I'm nervous, scared, and in general don't feel much better. Maybe after the full schedule is complete
I'll feel differently, I don't know. I can only hope. At forty-four years old I certainly don't want to be on social security for the rest of my life but if I had to go to work today it would be pumping gas or some other menial task. I'm sorry I ever started the ECT. At least without it I could fight with my own wits.

[David Collins]

I recently completed a series of seven ECT's indicated for severe mental depression. I have made the rounds of anti-depressant drugs with varying degrees of success. My ECT experience was extremely unpleasant because my doctor insisted that I be hospitalized and it was the 4th of July week and so on and so on.It is now a week since my last treatment and I am experiencing extreme memory loss regarding almost every area of my life. I am unemployed and unless and until the memory issues clear up I will no doubt remain this way. I was placed back on a MAO inhibitor for maintenance purposes and in general just feel terrible. Maybe in a week I will have different news to report but as it stands right now I wouldn't recommend ECT to my worst enemy. I just don't see any benefits at this time. Again, I'm just a week out of the chute so perhaps there will be some further enlightenment coming my way. I can only hope.If this is as good as it gets I'm in deep trouble.

[[e-mail]]

Hello, i am suffering from mood swings and major depression!
My adviser told me not to take any antidepressiva, and i am so confused and depressed. Do you think that ECT could help me?
My diagnoses is bipolar 2!

[Jose]

I just had a terrible experience on my 5th ECT!!!! I woke up from the anesthesia choking in my own blood... The doctor forgot to place the mouth "guard"... I had to be rushed to a plastic surgeon...I am in a lot of pain as I write this...Whats left of my tongue looks grotesque...

[Jennifer K.]

ECT has brought me out of severe, unmanageable depression twice.  It has worked when combinations of anti-depressants have not touched my major depression.  Going through ECT is a very difficult and frightening process.  The headaches afterwards are horrific, and the memory loss and disorientation can be very frustrating.  However, if your depression is to the level of serious suicidal planning, I would recommend you try it!
I'd rather go through the headaches and disorientation and still be alive to watch my daughter grow up!