Want to Support ECT Patient

A close family friend, who also works for me, was admitted to the hospital 3 weeks ago. She has undergone 7 ECT treatments for severe depression. I speak to her daily (she lives in another city) and visit when I travel there for business. She seems to have no emtional connection to anything and is uttely confused by everything. She also cannot remember significant details of her life and job, nor is she able to self-assess her condition. She may need more "treatments," but has no idea on what the doctor will base that decision.

I want to help and support her, but I am not sure what to do.

She wants to get back to work, but when can she realistically do this?

She has no advocate, so the doctor is making all decisions without explanation (I doubt she would understand now anyway).

Thanks,

Craig

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Your friend needs a family member or advocate to help her.  This confusion increases with ect and she should not be making the decisions.  If there are no family members, you are it, it seems, and what you can do is insist on a consultation with another psychiatrist...finding one in the community who is not too closely tied to her doctor.