Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I would like to thank you all for sending hugs to my wonderful friend,myall4him. She was so happy and felt so blessed. She is not on much because of her pain but has asked me to post something for her so I said I would.. Please help her because her friend Mary is very special to her..
And again.. I love you guys so much.. You are my lifeline..Subject: NEED A FAVOR!!!
Hey Y'Vonne......
I got a hysterical call from Mary....they want to do ECT on her because none of the medications are working on her depression. She is terrified...that procedure does have a bad rap....but, what I want to find out...does it help??? Can you post a qestion for me on the board. I know you are on the board all the time and I am not. I feel that they would respect you and answer where me they would not. SO....just let me know and I will watch the board for answers. I really appreciate it so much. I read on the internet about it ... I would like to hear from someone that has had it...if it really works and how is it afterwards. Ya know?????
Tons of love to you my hero!!!!
ruth
And again.. I love you guys so much.. You are my lifeline..Subject: NEED A FAVOR!!!
Hey Y'Vonne......
I got a hysterical call from Mary....they want to do ECT on her because none of the medications are working on her depression. She is terrified...that procedure does have a bad rap....but, what I want to find out...does it help??? Can you post a qestion for me on the board. I know you are on the board all the time and I am not. I feel that they would respect you and answer where me they would not. SO....just let me know and I will watch the board for answers. I really appreciate it so much. I read on the internet about it ... I would like to hear from someone that has had it...if it really works and how is it afterwards. Ya know?????
Tons of love to you my hero!!!!
ruth
E lictrical?
C intrifical?
T hingy?
sorry Y'vonn can't help ya althouugh I have grabbed onto a live line once and a while in my time!!!!!!!!!
seems the more I go through life the more it is the same...does that make me INSANE?????
and I thought every day was different
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/electroconvulsivetherapy_000605.htm
http://www.rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/treatment_and_therapy/other_treatments/electroconvulsiv.html
Not been there myself but thought this might help *monkey hugs*
xxx
On the other side I have seen a few that it in my opinion really didn't do anything.
In talking to these patients most just wanted to rid the pain they were willing to try anything most did and decided for them this was the last thing to try. Hope it helps
It was applied decades ago. It was like swatting a fly with a telephone book. WAY too much voltage and bordered on barbarism.
It was SOMEWHAT withdrawn as a treatment because of its primative characteristics and side effects.
Today, it is being "revived" but highly revised. The current is MICRO compared to the old days. "Convulsions" per se are no longer part of the treatment. The patient is sedated to unconsciousness and on awakening doesn't even know something happened. See the link below.
All of the following are my OPINIONS based on research.
ECT treatment today is no worse than having a wisdom tooth pulled, .. actually, probably much LESS stressful than that.
ECT is VERY effective in treating SEVERE depression (as well as other mental illnesses i.e. schizophrenia). It has a good to excellent success rate.
Drawbacks are that the treatments generally don't last long. Patient is highly improved for some weeks, then another treatment is required. A "series" of treatments CAN be as many as 20. There is almost always SOME memory loss. To what degree is variable. In some cases the memory lost eventually restores and in other cases it is lost permanently.
I personally think it should be a last resort. Depression and the other illnesses ECT is used for has a huge range of disability. There are some whose severity is practially nonendurable. For those, ECT is a relief, and I think advisable. I want to emphasise that it is appropriate ONLY IN the extreme cases. It has to be pretty bad to warrant ECT.
Due to the risk factors, it should be explained CLEARLY to the patient and only then, because the patient sincerely DESIRES the treatment, should it be given. It should be REQUESTED, not imposed in any way. Just my opinion.
Here is a good source of information:
http://www.medhelp.org/lib/ect.htm
It has mixed results can affect memory.
Many people that have have exhausted all the meds & therapy say it has saved their lives it is the best thing since sliced bread. Others
say they have not seen benefits.
My opinion is anything is worth trying it will not do any harm and I do not believe it is painful some treatments last 6-12 sessions.
It has helps many severe cases that meds could not fix.
I will do some more research and let you know if I find anything interesting or informative and add to thread.