Posted by kazoo on May 8, 2001, at 1:01:09
In reply to Re: Whats the best opiate for depression ?, posted by jimmygold70 on May 7, 2001, at 15:48:13
> Did you try ECT ? (Electroconvulsive Therapy). That's more effective than most drugs.
> Jimmy^^^^^^^^^^
Jimmy, me lad, one does not "try" ECT like "trying" a new brand of toothpaste. ECT is serious business and I can't imagine any patient confronting their doctor with this idea. It's up to the doctor to evaluate you to determine if you are a candidate, not the other way around.As I have stated in previous posts about this subject, ECT is not a walk in the park, or something that can be performed willy-nilly at the Office on just anybody who walks in the door, much less requesting it. There are a series of steps and tests that are mandated by sound (and sane) medical practice, not to mention law, before ECT is to be even considered.
ECT is the last resort for mental illness. It is done usually in a hospital setting and when everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) else fails.
And as far as ECT's efficacy goes, the jury has been out for the longest time on this topic, and, quite frankly, I think it will always be out. This is the most troubling thing (for me) about ECT: the fact that there are still (after all these decades) so many questions and doubts about its effectivenss.
All other routes and alternatives should be and must be exhausted before this sort of thing is to be even considered. If you search the archives, you can find such alternatives.
I don't know why the posters in this group so casually suggest ECT as the golden way-out from drug-resistant depression. It is not.
kazoo
poster:kazoo
thread:61760
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010507/msgs/62047.html