Posted by alchemy on January 28, 2010, at 19:39:58
In reply to Re: Dysthymia/Anxiety - ECT - Alchemy, posted by Meltingpot on January 17, 2010, at 15:57:17
Hi Meltingpot. I have tried a lot of antidepressants. I started on Prozac in my early teens. Drugs have only helped a little & I would say I have always been depressed.
Only after my 1st hospital "visit" about 4 years ago did I work with one psych dr. consistently. My dr. has said in a round-about-way that I am a hard one to treat because of some paradoxical reactions and lack of response. I think I would fall into the category of treatment resistent. My current thoughts of suicide are usually because it has gone on so long (I am 37 now). I would also do the Deep Brain Stimulation- drill a hole in my head, I don't care.
Yes, for me, ECT was miracle when I have been in a black hole. When I tried it as maintenance and then later as a no-med option, it didn't seem to be as effective.
Bleuberry has a good point, people do respond differently. I only needed 5-6 treatments. I think it usually takes 10-12. Psychiatry numbers say it is effective 80% of the time, but I'm not sure what the numbers are for maintenance. The effects usually fades, but for some, maintenance works. They just go in for a "tune up".
It is a hard decision. What does your dr. say? If you have 2 treatments a week rather than 3 I've heard that you are less likely to have side effects.
poster:alchemy
thread:933625
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100122/msgs/935267.html