Hi Carla
Thank you for your question and welcome
Do you want some personal support on this - or factual information about ECT? I will try....
I do not know if anyone on here currently has but we have had many in the past who did, both for severe depressive symptoms with PNI and for PP.
Are you about to have it - or have you had it and are worried about any future effects??
I will answer both ways.
It was once suggested I have it but 36 years ago when I was 17 and for anxiety and phobic behavior, my parents however refused to sign the consent for this - I actually wish knowing what I know now that I had had ECT at that time rather than the treatment I in fact was given!.
This did however lead me to take an interest in ECT so I do however know quite a bit about ECT from being in a ward with people who had it and then later in my work with mental health service users for many years I took an interest in its use.
This link will give you basic information about how ECT is given, the effects and a rough guide to the two thoughts on ECT both form the patients side and medical professionals - it is American but it still applies
www.medhelp.org/lib/ect.htmWithout going into details just now - while it is still not fully understood why it works and can appear quite drastic a solution from the outside
That is actually often works well on a range of conditions for which nothing else has been of benefit.
ECT has been proved by research to be effective time and time again. And a few would argue that it has truly saved lives in many cases.
But it is unsure that the effect is lasting - some feel it is an emergency treatment that saves lives and suffering and buys time until anti-depressants and therapy can kick in
The problems however with ECT are to sum up:
is that no one understands exactly why it works so this worries both some patients and some Doctors
And that its use brings up a strong emotional reaction of shame and fear in some patients that receive it
There are fears of permanent memory loss that have mostly been disproved by much research
- but some patients who have had ECT do not believe this research as their own experiences lead them to think that memory loss is possible.
I have known many who have had ECT and each persons emotional reaction to having it is different,.
but as you are put under by anesthetic the process is painless and you know noting about it
And after you wake you can have a headache and short term memory loss that usually goes away.
It does in most cases completely relive the symptoms at least on the short term but you do need several courses of it and follow up drug therapy to maintain this improvement.
Perhaps if you stay around we can discuss it a little more
Elaine Hanzak our patron had this too - you can listen to some of her story here:
<embed src="http://www.pni.org.uk/Elaineh2005_14_02.ram" height=0 width=0 autoplay="false" loop=1 />
Have you had ECT and if so has it worked for you
- what was your experience of it like , was it traumatic or like Elaine's experience a relief ( she found the anesthetic that is given to do ECT relaxed/shut down her racing mind and gave her some peace - although she is not sure about the ECT itself!
Or have you been offered ECT and are unsure??
Did you , or do you have have PP or PNI or both? are you now recovered?
Can we support you an any way
Veritee
PS
Here are some Internet information on ECT:
This site is aimed at a balance considered view of ECT
www.priory.com/psych/ectol.htmThis is aimed to unite those against it and those for it - This is a site run by the Priory who do believe that in certain cases it has its uses and is very effective but want to be accurate and find a balance in the understanding of ECT
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The history of ECT and info on why it is used:
www.vagusnervestimulator.com/topics/ect.cfm*******************************************
There is a support web site and support forum for people who have had or may have ECT here
www.ect.org/This forum is very much on the 'against ECT' side
I am not sure how helpful it is though as it is looking at ECT from one angle and is quite negative - but I guess you are asking for information and you should look at everything
