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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anna on December 24, 1999, at 16:41:47
Question--Just spoke to a dear friend--not me, honest-- who insists she needs ECT. I thought ECT is used only for very severe depression that hasn't responded to anything else. She's had clinical dep. last 5 yrs. Never hospitalized, but contemplated suicide. Has had good periods via various meds--much more good than bad last 2 years. Even thru worst of it keeps up a nice home, kids, volunteers --doesn't lay around. Has everything materially--no $worries. Always looking for THE ANSWER--with various therapists. But has stuck with prominent psychopharm last 2 yrs. Seems to feel nothing "really works" for her...
But ECT? Her P-doc says too many things to try first. But she also found a doc who thinks she should "just try it." JUST TRY ECT? Did anyone out there have ect for major (but not major-major depression...if you get me) Though I have had my moments, don't think I've ever been as depressed as her, so maybe i am not being fair. Love to hear of any others in similar situation. I am worried--she has low self esteem and is not considering consequences of her behaviors. Thanks
Posted by JohnL on December 24, 1999, at 17:16:02
In reply to ECT Experiences? ( not for me), posted by anna on December 24, 1999, at 16:41:47
From what I understand, ECT is a safe and effective method of relieving various forms of depression. That is especially true if there have already been 3 failures of meds at therapeutic levels. I have heard more than one doctor say they would do ECT first before drugs if they got depressed. Like drugs, it will work or it won't. But it usually works. I think it has a stigma as being something overly serious and dangerous. Sort of the same way some people view Lithium. When I hear ECT, I get this mental picture of Frankenstein being zapped and jolted! :) But I know it isn't like that.
I hear ECT causes short term memory loss that resolves quickly on its own. I think the biggest downfall of ECT is the cost. It involves anesthesia and the works, repeatedly. But it often allows the patient to finally experience remission of their dysthymia, melancholia, severe depression, or psychotic depression after many drug failures. Not everyone of course, but many.
This is all based on things I've read and heard. I have no experience with ECT at all. I get the general sense that a lot of people would be better today if they had tried ECT earlier in treatment. Would I try ECT? Well, if it cost a hundred bucks, plus or minus, yeah, definitely, in a flash. ECT has come a long way to its present high-tech form. I would trust trying it if I had the money. I would be cheering for anyone trying it, because it stands a good chance of providing the person with relief, finally. And promptly. JohnL
Posted by Abby on December 24, 1999, at 23:07:40
In reply to Re: ECT Experiences? ( not for me), posted by JohnL on December 24, 1999, at 17:16:02
> From what I understand, ECT is a safe and effective method of relieving various forms of depression. That is especially true if there have already been 3 failures of meds at therapeutic levels. I have heard more than one doctor say they would do ECT first before drugs if they got depressed. Like drugs, it will work or it won't. But it usually works. I think it has a stigma as being something overly serious and dangerous. Sort of the same way some people view Lithium. When I hear ECT, I get this mental picture of Frankenstein being zapped and jolted! :) But I know it isn't like that.
>
> I hear ECT causes short term memory loss that resolves quickly on its own. I think the biggest downfall of ECT is the cost. It involves anesthesia and the works, repeatedly. But it often allows the patient to finally experience remission of their dysthymia, melancholia, severe depression, or psychotic depression after many drug failures. Not everyone of course, but many.
>
> This is all based on things I've read and heard. I have no experience with ECT at all. I get the general sense that a lot of people would be better today if they had tried ECT earlier in treatment. Would I try ECT? Well, if it cost a hundred bucks, plus or minus, yeah, definitely, in a flash. ECT has come a long way to its present high-tech form. I would trust trying it if I had the money. I would be cheering for anyone trying it, because it stands a good chance of providing the person with relief, finally. And promptly. JohnLKay Jamison did a video in a series called Great Minds of Medicine shortly after her book An Unquiet Mind came out.
I was watching it with my father whene we were trying to convince her that her manic-depressive illness--mixed states
was serious and needed medical treatment.The interviewer was asking her several questions and then said something about ECT as a last resort treatment.
Jamison said she wasn't sure that was the best way to talk about it. She had written instructions that if she
were ever really depressed she was to get ECT. She had been agitated when on anti-depressants, and she was concerned
about the risk of mania with SSRIs. She said something liek ECT was remarkably safe and effective, that the 'last-resort' attitude
was not particularly rational---manipulate your brain with electro-chemical impulses or with drugs--not much difference.Abby
Posted by kelly on December 30, 1999, at 19:45:14
In reply to ECT Experiences? ( not for me), posted by anna on December 24, 1999, at 16:41:47
> Question--Just spoke to a dear friend--not me, honest-- who insists she needs ECT. I thought ECT is used only for very severe depression that hasn't responded to anything else. She's had clinical dep. last 5 yrs. Never hospitalized, but contemplated suicide. Has had good periods via various meds--much more good than bad last 2 years. Even thru worst of it keeps up a nice home, kids, volunteers --doesn't lay around. Has everything materially--no $worries. Always looking for THE ANSWER--with various therapists. But has stuck with prominent psychopharm last 2 yrs. Seems to feel nothing "really works" for her...
>
> But ECT? Her P-doc says too many things to try first. But she also found a doc who thinks she should "just try it." JUST TRY ECT? Did anyone out there have ect for major (but not major-major depression...if you get me) Though I have had my moments, don't think I've ever been as depressed as her, so maybe i am not being fair. Love to hear of any others in similar situation. I am worried--she has low self esteem and is not considering consequences of her behaviors. ThanksI haven't had ECT, But i was asked by my DR. if i wanted to have in done since the meds didn't seem to be working.Does your friend know all the Proes & cons about ECT?
I know a muscle relaxant & a mild anesthetic are administered before the start of the shocks. they shock you for second, they might have to keep this going til you have a seizure, that can last at least 30 sec. ECT are typically received 3 treatments a week for several weeks. It does work for some,But it can cause irreversible damage in some people. I would tell your friend to look into it more,& try other meds first.
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