ect

how effective is ect
does it damage ones memory

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear Karen Ruth,

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is very effective and has multiple indications.
Indications for ECT include severe major depression with or without psychosis, bipolar disorder and other mental
disorders.  It is often a second or third line treatment, used if someone does not respond to medication.  It is a first line treatment if the symptoms of the depression are severe or if the patient has medical problems which would make the use of antidepressants problematic.
ECT is usually administered 3 times a week, with the average number of sessions 6-8. Some patients may need maintenance ECT that could occur monthly to even annually. Some patients no longer need antidepressants, particularly if the have maintenance ECT, whereas others will continue antidepressant therapy.
The most common side effect is memory loss. The memory loss is short term, and focuses on the treatment itself.  The memory loss is transient and short-lived.  ECT is one of the most effective and safest treatments in psychiatry.
I recommend you discuss ECT with your psychiatrist in order to determine the
personal benefits and possible side effects.


Sincerely,

HFHS M.D.-SW

*Keywords: Electro Convulsive Therapy

[karenruth]

i have another ?    
if i have ect can i go off medicicine and be happy forever
do u have ect and do it for awile and quit
do u have to keep on doing it like medicine

[Been There]

I actually had them some years ago. The answer is: It depends on the person. Some people have a successful course of ect's and never go on meds or have more ect's again. Other people have to have ect 'tune ups.' Sometimes these tune-ups or maintainence ect's are monthly, bimonthly or even yearly. Some people do well from the ect's and then take meds. I know of someone who had terrible depression that nothing helped, had ect's and felt great for 10 years and then relapsed. It's completely individual. Will you have ect's and be "happy forever?" Well, ect's won't make your everyday problems go away, but it may help you be more able to deal with them. It may also help you be/feel more effective in coping by lifting the bulk of depression that weighs you down and makes it difficult to deal with problems. It's not a cure-all for every thing, but it can really help a lot of people.

[Tim]

Yes, this commonly happens [memory damage], despite assurances of those who give ECT, half of those given shock report memory problems they attribute to the shock three years after ECT.