Posted by Psychquackery on July 30, 2003, at 14:13:04
In reply to Re: ECT/rTMS Thanks for replying (nm), posted by TJO on July 30, 2003, at 11:28:48
TJO, you are welcome for the answers. My advice to you is rather straightforward. If you have the severe form of depression or have bipolar disorder and are presently disabled, Id opt for ECT over rTMS. ECT is more of a sure thing, whereas rTMS seems to be more hit and miss and seems to work better for more mild to moderate depressive conditions. ECT is the single most potent treatment psychiatry has for severe mood disorders. Why waste time with rTMS when you can go straight to a guaranteed recovery with probably full remission as is typical with ECT?
On the other hand, if youve already had ECT I see no reason why you shouldnt go for rTMS if you have that option. You would probably learn a thing or two in the clinical trial. The doctors who run those clinical trials tend to be among some of the better psychiatrists. And oftentimes you get a free medical exam out of it along with a free SPECT or PET scan, which is useful to help confirm your diagnosis.
In short, you cant go wrong with either option really. But if youve never had ECT, Id opt for that first.
Igor
poster:Psychquackery
thread:246432
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/246809.html