I have been researching ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) out of interest and wanted to know your opinion. Have you or someone you know had ECT? What is your view on it? I feel it is a little barbaric but I am trying to do more research so I don't just jump to conclusions and make an informed decision. I have actually been offered ECT as a treatment option myself (12-15 treatments to START WITH?) but declined (scared mostly). I just wanted to know what you've seen with your patients who have had it done, or what your own experience with ECT was like. Thanks in advance
I've seen ect work miracles on patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar. I've also seen it used for chronic forensic patients that had the treatment indicated for their aggressive and impulsive behaviors and that wouldn't work so much. The worst of complaints have been maybe a headache afterwards and the short term memory loss. I haven't actually seen the procedure but have taken care of plent of patients when they've come back. I do have to warn that it's not a miracle for all. But for those that it does work, it's really amazing.
ITA with all the above replies. A caution though-the results of ECT are temporary. You may need an antidepressantor /mood stabilizer as an outpt. or a schedule of infrequent outpt. ect txs. to maintain a euthymic mood-Good Luck!
Can someone describe step by step how the treatment is done? The only one I ever saw was in 1973 and it was still the CuKoo's Nest variety. Tell it as if you were narrating a film please.
It is 8 am. The pt. is given Demerol 50mg IM. The nurse wheels the pt. to the recovery room. The pt. has been NPO since mn and wears a johnny. The nurse makes sure a nasal cannula is available for 02 after the procedure.
She/He records baseline Vital signs. She makes sure all pertinentlabs, EKG, orders and Pt. consent forms are in the chart. She starts a flow sheet for vitals. The B.P. cuff is left on the patient's arm, in inflated. Gel is appled to the pt.'s Right or Left temple or both-depending on if the ECT pt. is having unilateral or bilateral ECT.
The Nurse checks to see the ECT machine is plugged in and ready. The nurse rolls up the sheet to expose the patients's feet. The anesthesiologist inserts an IV and administers Sodium Penothal. When the pt. is out-he/she is intubated and has an ambubag.A rubber mouthpiece is inserterd and Succ. is administered IV. The Psychiatrist checks the Machine, attaches the Leads-which are for an EEG and the shock. Vitals are checked again by the nurse. The shock is administered by the MD-we look for a small inward curling of the toes and/or seizure activity on the EEG. If none is observed the vitals are checked-if the BP is not too high-another shock at a higher voltage is applied.
The nurse monitors the patient's breathing after the anesthesiologist takes the tube out and administers nasal O2. Gradually the pt. awakens. The nurse orients the patien and administers Tylenol if the pt. c/o headache. The process takes about 1 hr.The pt. is brought back to their room-usually sleeps for a few hours-with guardrails up . The pt. is woken and assisted to the DR for lunch. The pt.'s meds and normal activities are resumed. The pt';s memory, mental status and the ECT are recorded in the chart.
I Hope this helps-this is from my memories assisting in ECT in the late 80's -I'm sure it's quite differnt now.
NPAlby
231 Posts
I've seen ect work miracles on patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar. I've also seen it used for chronic forensic patients that had the treatment indicated for their aggressive and impulsive behaviors and that wouldn't work so much. The worst of complaints have been maybe a headache afterwards and the short term memory loss. I haven't actually seen the procedure but have taken care of plent of patients when they've come back. I do have to warn that it's not a miracle for all. But for those that it does work, it's really amazing.