Something I didn't mention....I work, fulltime, I'm an Accountant. I have 3 College Degrees, Computer Science, Accounting and Paralegal...ECT did not affect my brain or my ability to work or hold a job. It didn't erase my knowledge or experience. After reading all the "input" thought it was important to add this, should have put it in my original post. I'm happily divorced after a 24 yr marriage, financially responsible for myself and I do just fine. So don't think having ECT is going to turn you brain to mush....it doesn't work that way.

bird on a wire say's thank you, kat, and kudo's for holding it together and sharing that part of your experience. oxo

yep..i had 3 treatments 2 yrs ago and they did help...i haven't had any memory problems....

if i had someone to take me, i'd have more.

http://suemypsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2005/06/17/electroshock-lawsuit-first-ever-verdict-in-favor-of-plaintiff-patient-awarded-635177/

in my initial post on this thread I asked whether Zeinna had already carried out non survivable suicides (that she survived) by this I meant like the the non survivable suicide attempts of people I've known (who survived- including me). People who have leapt in front of speeding trains (now legless), slashed their jugular, leapt off bridges, eaten a gun & so forth (shan't tell you what my non survivable attempts took the form of- far too doable- if you know how)

With bp1 as opposed to bp2 you don't have the luxury of foresight, too often, if have swung from acute psychotic mania into an all encompassing psychotic death/dive/drive. Don't have the requisite insight to see what is happening- automatic pilot.

Katlyn; you've had 3 rounds of ECT (i round being 6 ECT's I assume)

that's 18 ECT's- probably all unilateral (less memory damage incurred)

I was given 36+ ECT's (involuntarily) many of which were bilateral (which is well as the most memory/cognitive function obliterating form of ECT)

my posts on this thread I acknowledged not all who have ECT are the worse for wear for it.

Do me a favour & don't assume that just because your ECT wasn't so bad that that is the same for everyone else- you offended me. Just saying.

And nevernude your pretty offensive in your own right by assuming that because you CAN'T be helped without going to the graphic extremes everyone else can't either. I'm not saying it will work for everyone, just like every med won't work for everyone, but I will voice my opinion on this opinion driven support board. You do that quite freely.

And here a Cycle of ECT is 12 weeks with 3 treatments a week....do the math.

goodness. If you read back you'll see I indeed acknowledged it is helpful for some people & also posted a fairly balanced article that states the same thing.

Calm down, yikes.

Oxygen bar required over here on the fence post please. Nothing too extravagant...just a rather largish open concept bird house with room for a tank and a few stools. ~smiles~

I brought this idea up with my t-doc...stating pretty much the same as I had posted here. The first real deadpan look I've seen from her over some 20 hrs of therapy.

I had to ask her how that made her feel...won't go into the details here...there are other avenues to explore and we'll work on some of those yet. I lose her in 2 months.

this topic upsets me a great deal obviously..being involuntarily treated & other aspects- a pretty wounding experience. I'm sorry for being heavy about it though if it's offended.

I think this is a healthy discussion. Nothing wrong with clarification. imo

i am always glad to see these discussions. pdoc suggests ect occasionally,memory,loss.terrifes.me.though.

It has been a very healthy discussion and there are always 2 sides...I agree with that thoroughly.

Nevernude I am truly sorry that you were involuntarily given a treatment as severe as ECT, I don't believe in that. Involuntary Hospitilization and meds to keep one safe are 1 thing, ECT is a whole different ball game. A patient should always have a say in a treatment like ECT, they should have the chance to research it, talk to their Pdocs about it and make sure they have support to get them through it, because it is a very severe treatment.....but it can work for some, not all. It's also a combination of things that makes the ECT work, the Pdoc, the therapy, the meds...

I am a firm believer that being Bi-polar is a way of life and it has to be managed that way, especially if one has a severe form of it. When I was diagnosed back in the day there was no BP1 or BP2...I was DX'd Bipolar w/severe Suicidal Depression, the only thing that made me check myself into the hospital the last time before what would have been my 6th suicide attempt was the begging of my then 11 yr old son not to leave him for good.....a child's plea can be strong medicine.

Kat

This is a really, really good post. Everyone's experience adds so much.

((nn)) for all you went through.

katlyn, I'm glad you found some mental well-being.

I considered ECT, once, when locked in a horrible depressive cycle that meds would not touch. But I pulled out.

When in my right mind, I have a fear of electricity. Was shocked hard a few times. Sent to the ground and there I lay paralyzed.

I hope you feel better soon zeinna.

No I never attempted suicide but I always think about death and lately I've been thinking about what it would be like to kill my self.