I've not had it but just want to say - that's a very big decision to make. Is there any other options? At the end of the day if your depression is making you at risk then it may be the best choice, if so I wish you all the best and want to hear all about it.
I have heard that it works for some people for a limited amount if time
I don't understand myself... I'm searching for the person I am, and the person I want to be..
I have. It helped. I'd opt to have it again. Pretty tired, but could reply in more detail tomorrow.
Here's what I said in another thread:
I have had several courses of ECT, the last course, I don't remember how many sessions I had, brought me out of a very significant depression. It is a very controversial treatment but I will always advocate for it if used appropriately. I would also agree with the above poster in that my long term memory isn't great but I, too, wonder if that's a result of having long term mental heath problems as opposed to ECT treatment? I did experience disorientation, quite often, when I woke up from the anesthetic but it passed, and that could be the result of the treatment itself, as, after all, one is effectively having a seizure, albeit controlled, and they themselves, as I understand it, can be disorientating.
As a caveat, it is important that you are fully informed about the procedure. I also agree with the above that speaking to a consultant psychiatrist would be your best bet. Also, Mind do a very good: 'Guide to ECT' which might be worth checking out? I know you can download it from their web site.
I hope that is helpful, let us know what you decide and/or how you get on.
Last edited by Foxtrot Oscar : 21-05-2014 at 03:47 AM.
Reason: Added.
I'd write the pros and cons dims and give each point a score out if 10 for how much impact it has/or will have. 10 being the worst. Then add them up and see what it tells you
I don't understand myself... I'm searching for the person I am, and the person I want to be..
Why do you have to decide by Tuesday? I know that's when you see your psychiatrist, but can't you see him and say you need more information and more time to think about it? Or are you so at risk that your psychiatrist needs to do something very soon?
I would read the information leaflet from Mind about the ECT, and then speak to your psychiatrist in depth on Tuesday about what it involves.
I would be a bit wary about researching it on the internet, as with anything you will find lots of negative comments amongst the positive ones. If I read the comments about all of the treatments I've had I would have been too scared to try them, but I've never experienced side effects.
I don't have personal experience of ECT however I've have heard two stories anecdotally.
One was from my Dad who knew someone with severe depression. She had ECT and he said afterwards she no longer suffered with the depression that was so deblitating and it gave her her life back.
The second was part of the Bedlam documentary last year I think. It featured a woman who was admitted to the psych ward- she couldn't speak or dress herself or really do anything. She kept making noises and sleeping all of the time. The doctors weren't really sure what was going on for her, and after the medication they tried her on didn't really work they opted for a course of ECT. Honestly the difference was remarkable. She went from a complete zombie back to a 'normal' human. She was talking, walking, making jokes, perfectly happy and she was discharged. The ECT brought her out of whatever it was she was in. I think they said it might have been a fugue state.
Personally I think that if it's come down to the fact that you are not functioning and are suicidal then you don't have anything left to lose, you're at rock bottom, and so I'd give the ECT a try.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I am not sure what will happen if I don't have ECT done but he is trying to push me into having it done. I guess if I say no I will be put into hospital anyway but maybe for a lot longer admission and starting OP groups.
I guess I don't need to completely make my mind up by tuesday but I feel that I dont have time on my side so the sooner I work out what I'm gonna do then the better it will be for me..
sometimes being strong means not holding back the tears but letting them fall
~˙·٠•●♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠·˙~
my fur baby girls are my life <3
r.i.p my beautiful girl jackie. i will love you always no matter what - 6/5/10
sorry to bump this again but I am feeling quite lost and confused.
I had a second opinion yesterday in regards to ECT and the person I saw is against me having it as he believes it wont help me in the long run. Like it may help to begin with but the effects will not last for long...
so with that being said why is my pdoc still pushing me to have it done?? I am confused as hell!
I have to have a third opinion hopefully early next week and what if he says no to ECT too? and why has nobody asked me what I want?!
I feel like I am not being heard or listened to. the last thing I need right now is to be forced into doing something that I dont want. I am pretty certain I dont want ECT so why cant my pdoc just except that and move on?
sometimes being strong means not holding back the tears but letting them fall
~˙·٠•●♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠·˙~
my fur baby girls are my life <3
r.i.p my beautiful girl jackie. i will love you always no matter what - 6/5/10
Did you tell your doctor you don't want ect? If you did and he hasn't listened then you are perfectly within your rights to make a complaint. You can't be forced to have ect even if your on a section x
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
I had ECT when I was 18 and again when I was 22.
Honestly, I can't give a very good reply since I did not have many sessions - my experience going under anesthesia was terrible and it was that and only that which prevents me from ever agreeing to it again. However, other people who have gone under anesthesia for other reasons seem to not have had the dizziness I felt going under, so I may just be odd that way.
The first time, I had no memory loss at all, and it surprised the nurses that I woke up fine and called them by their names when I had just met them.
When I was 22, I had some short term memory loss as well as the physical after effects.
Nobody can force you to have ECT. You are perfectly within your rights to decide against it. Also, just because you don't want it now does not mean it's a one-time decision and that you can never change your mind down the road. Your decision is not set in stone, if I'm getting this across correctly.
I have known many people who have benefited from ECT to varying degrees. I seem to be outnumbered by those who have found it helpful.
