I had Electro Convulsive Therapy or ECT as it is known in UK while catatonically depressed (totally psychotic and not moving/speaking) in mental hospital in 1995. I went under aneasthetic and had electric shocks administered to my brain with a series of three treatments. After this I seemed to recover from the depression well. I'm sure they still do it here - though maybe you have to be really out of it to get the therapy. Not sure what the risks are but if you're feeling that bad - it's definitely worth it. I would consider having it again now - if the drugs I'm taking continue to not work. Maybe I'm not ill enough though?

Ashley:
I put something about this on the board a while ago. ECT. Yes, it is making a comeback. It used to be sort of saved as the "last resort" for depressives...but from the literature that I have been reading and the groups that I have been attending...it is more commonplace than i thought. To me it conjures up images of Frances Farmer and the like...but that is not so...i am told. It actually is used, a lot, by people that suffer this illness and don't/can't wait for the SSRI to kick in-etc. One of the largest groups that use it around these parts are lawyers and CFOs...that have to stay in the saddle and can't or I supposed don't have time for depression to run its course.

I am still...regardless of this...not really keen on doing it. I guess that if it was the last hope I would- it is hard to say.

There is another treatment that they are using called Brain Stimulation which actually they DRill holes in your head...and insert these devices...i went to a lecture/symposium on it... Now, to me,comparitively, i would rather ECT

I know that a friend had this done about 10 years ago, it did seem to relieve her depression, but it seems abit drastic to me. My grandfather suffered from neurasthenia which, according to my psych is what they called panic attacks years ago, back then (over 50 years ago) they drilled holes in his head to relieve pressure - sounds archaic to me, but strangely enough he also took St Johns Wort, which is still used today.

Yikes... kinda sounds scary.

Hi Ashley,
I had ect tx this last March as an in-patience in a hospital for 3 weeks. Unfortunately, it did not work for me; I had 7 tx and I was to continue for months going every 2 wks. Transportation was a problem since it was out of town. I don't know if it would have helped me if I had continued. I had severe memory loss and some still hasn't return. They tell it will but now it's what? July, it's been 4 months and some hasn't return. Examples, I have 3 or 4 names in my address book that I had circled and written "Save Important". I don't remember who they are. I also have e-mail addresses in which I haven't got a clue who they are. And when I see someone from before the treatments which I suppose I knew, can't remember how or who they are. This is very disturbing.
Please think carefully before you decide to do the ect.
Take care,
Monica

It is being used again. I think it's too drastic and possibly harmful. We're still in the dark ages where mental health issues are concerned. I don't trust docs enuf to let them fry me. I'm barely willing to take any of the meds they prescribe.

The doctors want me to agree to ECT. They say it's more humane with better results than the past. One problem 4 me, it effects short term memory (to what extent I don't know). I have bad short term memory problems as it is

Add to last reply: My shrink (he's excellent on the newest treatments) Says I have an 89% of being cured from dipression with ECT. We just don't know what extent of damage it will do to my memory

When my friend was at the mental hospital she had it done like 6 times. It didn't help her at all. And as for me I would try it because meds dont seem to work

My Mother had this done 10+ years ago and it did not work, she still suffered from depression. I am sure they have better ways of doing it now days but I don't know about that.