Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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sdgrrl 05/20/2015

I just called a local hospital with a good psychiatric ward and known for ect treatments. I cannot take anti depressants even if I am on anti psychotics and mood stabilizers. Anti depressants always lead me to hypomania and bad life decisions.

Tomorrow I have an appoint and just want feed back from anyone who has undergone this treatment. They can do it on an outpatient basis which is what I would choose.

sadmom51 05/20/2015

Please do not do electric shock therapy.....it is very very bad and kills your brain cells....a friend of mine did it and she lost all her short term memory....please look into natural cures for depression.....just look on you tube and see what you find....there are so many other ways to get cured.....alot of people with depression are deficient in vitamin D or other vitamins......also you need sunshine everyday......go for a walk in the sun and fresh air......exercise boostst the endorphins.....and stop all caffeine products and all aspertame products......

sadiegirl13 05/20/2015

I have not had ECT myself, but I know there are people here who got their lives back because of it. It can be a very good way to manage depression, but as always, learn as much as you can about it before trying. Ask lots of questions, be aware of side effects, etc.

Good luck to you!

am613 05/20/2015

Hi there,

Ever tried Omega3, with high EPA values, instead of an AD.

HUGS

AM613

PaganSpirit 05/20/2015

I have been doing ECT treatments for the past few months now and I truly feel it has helped me. The worst side effect that I found is it does affect your memory. I find myself forgetting things here and there. The doctors say that my memory should return to normal when we are done with the treatments. As far as I can tell thats the worst side effect but unfortunately it is a bad one. Do your research, learn all you can about it before you do it. Good luck with your decision.

oldcper 05/21/2015

ECT is not very, very bad and it does not kill your brain cells.

Many people have ECT and do just fine. I've had 3 cycles when my suicidal depression was at the point that nothing but death was going to cure it. The ECT worked, I had it 3 days a week for 3 months.

Before starting I was an educated person with 3 college degrees and a job as an Accountant. After the treatments I was exactly the same. My Pdoc advised me to write down any important pertinent information that was going on at the time of the ECT, medical stuff, etc., which I did. I had no longterm side effects and I still work as and Accountant and all my brain cells are still very much alive.

If I hadn't had ECT I'd be dead.

oldcper 05/21/2015

@Sadmom51,

I don't think it's responsible to comment on something you've never had, or comment on a treatment for an end of life level of depression if you've not been there. I've had BiPolar for 26 years, with 5 suicide attempts due to severe almost untreatable depression, and I take 6000 mgs of Vit. D a day and get plenty of sunshine.

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