Info/opinion re ECT

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

My doc wants to do ECT on me for intractible (sp) depression/bipolar. I'm not functioning too well ie getting out of the house, going to support groups, ADL and socializing. I've been on several several meds.

Any feedback on how well you have seen this working, or other kinds of treatment/therapy for those for whom meds aren't effective?

I truly appreciate your help.

BTW I am an RN as well as the hair club president LOL

Were I too depressed to function ECT would be my treatment of choice. The best results I have seen were with severe intractable depression. I'm not so sure about use with bipolar d/o and use of ECT to treat personality d/o borders on malpractce.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Were I too depressed to function ECT would be my treatment of choice. The best results I have seen were with severe intractable depression. I'm not so sure about use with bipolar d/o and use of ECT to treat personality d/o borders on malpractce.

I'm having neuropsych testing soon - this will help to determine if I should do it or no?

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" I'm having neuropsych testing soon - this will help to determine if I should do it or no?"

I don't know. Why does your doc want the testing?

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
I don't know. Why does your doc want the testing?

Hi Charlie, perhaps because I was so hesitant to try the ECT - maybe also to rule out borderline (only sign that I know of was that I used razor blades for SA in 1985).

I also have a pretty significant trauma history.

I dunno... I'm pretty confused right now!

Thanks Charlie!

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Good luck to you Zoe in whichever tx you use.

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Thanks you guys, I really appreciate the feedback!

Now that ECT is usually done unilaterally-on the non-dominant brain hemisphere, I have seen the memory loss be temporary and transient. Also it depends on if you have memory deficits to start. Good luck on whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Now that ECT is usually done unilaterally-on the non-dominant brain hemisphere, I have seen the memory loss be temporary and transient. Also it depends on if you have memory deficits to start. Good luck on whatever you decide!

What do you mean, "if you have memory deficits to start"?

Talked to a friend of mine's daughter (I hadn't seen her in years). I had no idea she had had this done, but she is MUCH improved over what I had seen of her before!

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zoe,

As far as I know there is no "test" for borderline. There are some tests for depression. My best guess would be that the doc is looking for an alternative cause for your depression.

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hey zoey,

i could have sworn i replied to this thread-perhaps you posted it elsewhere?

anyway what i wanted to tell you is i had this pt who was profoundly depressed; she stopped eating, talking and ambulating. also had a very flat affect. she had tried every conceivable antidepressant and nothing worked.

her doctor ordered ect and i'm not sure how soon it was ( i want to say after the 2nd/3rd tx) she was a changed lady, 100%....she was eating, ambulating w/her walker, talking (with a song in her voice) and smiling. one of the nurses got a picture of her with a beautiful smile).

so speaking from personal experience, i have seen ect done very successfully. as for the memory loss, it is short-lived. and after seeing the miraculous results of my patient, i wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone with unresolved depression.

good luck sweetie.

leslie xo

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
zoe,

As far as I know there is no "test" for borderline. There are some tests for depression. My best guess would be that the doc is looking for an alternative cause for your depression.

Thanks Charlie!

BTW anyone on here used or heard of "Bipolar Happens" by Julie Fast?

It's basically a self directed cognitive behavioral program to help people deal with symtoms, and part of that is showing/telling family members and providers how to help (family receives "treatment plans", etc). It's pretty interesting.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
... i wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone with unresolved depression.

good luck sweetie.

leslie xo

Hi Leslie!

You might have responded to this elsewhere, there are a few other threads for depression and one for mental illness - I find different people on different threads! Has been very helpful and affirming (to be treated with respect by peers, AWESOME! Was very "hush hush" at my last job).

Anyway, thanks for your feedback! You know I am actually feeling a bit better, I think the prospect of having ECT scared the you know what out of me, enough to get me out of feeling suicidal anyway.

But I'm collecting info now anyway, so that if I do need it, I will be prepared instead of it being a huge "shock" (pun intended).

{{{{{{{{{{Leslie}}}}}}}}}]

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