Hi! I hope everybody is going as well as can be.
I had quite a bit of a shock (ha!ha!) when my psychiatrist this week evoked the possibility of electroconvulsive therapy if the next few therapeutic scenarios do not work. It would probably be as an in patient for a month. Has anybody here tried this? I'd like to know both the good and the bad about it. Thanks for you input.
Peace to everyone,
Hi this Shnookie. I believe that I’ve heard that this kind of therapy can negatively impact memory. Please check his out. I’m not sure if it’s short or long term memory. Please do your research on this kind of therapy. Good luck. I’m here 4 UShnookie
Hi Shnookie , yes I did read about the memory concerns. I've read stuff both for and against in articles from horror stories to magic wand. I would like to talk to someone who has gone through it if possible. Thanks for your words of caution. Be well Shnookie
ECT has come a long way. Please talk with your psychiatrist regarding your concerns.Make sure that nothing else has been overlooked that may help. Depending what the
issue is, Anxiety or Depression, there is an in-office treatment that could be done safely.
It involves clipping electrodes on your ear lobes. Lying back in the doctor's office for 15-20
minutes.
Some patients have gotten relief within a session or two. (rare)
The percentage of patients helped by this method is 65% or so.
Just a thought Good Luck 
xx
Hello Agora1 , always nice to have you around You make me realize either I don't know what my concern is, either I don't have any, just looking for real world experience about it, not articles. The way it is administered (one month inpatient feels like a long stretch of boredom). I think there is a way to do it as out-patient but that requires that someone is available to take me back home every time. They don't allow you to leave on your own after the procedure. I'm kind of confident it would work though.Thanks for your always kind word. Be well
Do you know what it's called? I'd like to see where you got your statistics too. Thanks.
Hi NBP... the in-office or in-home unit is called Alpha Stim.It's usually a 20 min session in the psychiatrist office. Electrodes are
placed on the ear lobes as the patient lies back and relaxes. The amount
of electrical stimulation is less than a tens unit.
It was first used for pain relief and found to help those with chronic headaches
and pain. Some people get relief after the first session, others it takes several times
and some find it not helpful at all.
The percentage of patients helped with pain is usually significantly better than when
used for insomnia, depression and anxiety. The percentage there is about 65% according to my psychiatrist and the results of his patients.
This can also be purchased for home use, cost around $800-$1300.
Most choose in office sessions for several weeks.
I hope this helps answer some of your questions. xx
You are a wealth of knowledge Agora1, with a big heart which make you a wonderful person!
As usual, you are very clear and thorough. Thank you.
There are risks involved - like Shnookie said - memory loss you don't know how you will respond I would not reccommend it
I didn't think they did this anymore. Read all the info you can find about it so your well educated on the procedure.
I have heard it can be helpful but yes look into memory loss. Aren’t there more meds you can try first? Did you say you have to go inpatient for this. Kind of disrupts your life. I’d go for a second opinion - try a different therapist.
Hi Melancholy12 , the reason we are considering ECT it we've tried pretty much all the meds and med mixes that make sense. I've also been in several psychotherapies over 35 years now (and several types of those), support groups, anxiety management workshop, which works rather well for anxiety and I've just enrolled in another workshop for depression. However, nothing really sticks. We are still trying another antidepressant, and who knows, it might do the trick. It's just I want to have time to think ahead about it. Ah! A second opinion. That would indeed be the best. However, you have to be in Olympic shape or rich to get to a psychiatrist around here. Thank you for your kind word and suggestions. I still might have a tiny chance at another psychiatrist. Be well!
Thanks Dkdfree , sound advice. I am in the process of doing my homework. I've read good and bad stuff. I wish there was an association of people who have used/are using ECT. Hey, I might just go ahead and do that now! Have a nice day
Hi Eklektik, I had ECT years ago while suffering from postpartum psychosis - I was very grateful to have it as it lifted me up immediately afterwards - trouble was I went a bit high once I got off the ward and had to be re admitted this time to a mother and baby unit asI hadn’t properly bonded with my baby. I had gone from a deep deep depression not knowing how to care for the baby to the opposite extreme, wanting to cuddle her even if she was sleeping in the middle of the night, I just was all over the place…another round of ECT and a month stay in the hospital. I did experience some memory loss but I was told it would come back and it did by and large. I would say go for it after you have researched it all - it got me out of the black pit of depression worse than I had ever experienced and I will always remember the sense of relief after I had it. Now 37 years later I am still on antidepressants - Mirttazapine and Lorazapam - and getting by ok. I think it is good that they want to monitor you carefully afterwards, my going high was even more of a nightmare for my husband to cope with rather than my depression. Good luck with your research, I do so hope it all works out for you.
Hi primrose81 , thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad you found a way to bond with your baby. My psychiatrist will be checking for highs since I have bipolar type 2 (very few highs in my mental illness career, mostly depression and some anxiety lately). You make me hopeful about ECT if I have to come to that. I will definitely be looking for all the information possible. Also, I am trying an antidepressant, trintellix, so who knows? Thanks and I hope you keep going well.
Hi there… I also had severe postpartum over 30 years ago and wish they offered this back then… after a bad relapse 3 years ago I was hospitalized and had ECT .., felt better for awhile but now I have PTSD from that experience and anxiety is pretty bad… a few medication issues trying to find the right one… if there even is one … glad it helped you
So sorry you are having a bad time after ECT. My anxiety levels are sky-high most of the time, I take Lorazapame for it,along with Pregabalin and Mirtazapine as an antidepressant. One thing I have found helpful is Wim Hof’s Guided Breathing - somebody recommended him on this site and I shall be eternally grateful! The problem is I tend to hyperventilate a lot with upper chest shallow breathing, it’s a vicious circle as I feel even worse while doing it; it just has become a really bad habit but I am determined to beat it. Together with Wim Hof I do guided meditations with HeadSpace (you can Google it). Do so hope you feel better soon x
Hii Eklektik, sorry that you have exhausted all the possible medicines etc., I hope that the ones you are on now might kick in and help. I know that the right meds even with the side effects they give can make a big difference in mental illness. I realise that ECT is usually a last resort. I know a member of my family had it in the 1960s it helped to get her out of postpartum depression but did effect her short term memory. However she got better and led a productive life after having the treatment and remained well without taking meds. Take care and I wish you all the best in your decision.
Hi mathematics . Thanks for the encouragement. I am hoping the meds will do the trick, but if it comes to that, I will try ECT. Thanks also for letting me know a member of your family did well with ECT. The more I read about it, the more it seems to be like any psy med: they work wonders for some, and for other they are either neutral or cause problems. I really value your input, as it is about a real life story, not just some journal article (though I do rely on these as well. Thanks again and I hope you are well
Okay, my opinion for what it's worth is how can something that screws up your memory be good for you??? I have bipolar disorder and ECT has been suggested to me, and my gut reaction was NO. And I've been in psyche wards a number of times and I've been around people having ECT. What I've observed is some people do seem to get better, but some others really don't, in fact the ones that don't stay in their beds constantly. One hospital psyche ward I was in many times used to do ECT to people and now for whatever reason they don't do that anymore. I'm the kind of person where I want my wits about me and I don't want to be a human vegetable. I've already been on a number of medications which is bad enough, so no ECT for me. Of course It's totally your decision.
Hi Hidden , I totally appreciate and welcome your input. I think when you have a gut reaction, most of the time, it's better to listen to it. Your post kinda confirms to me that ECT can really go both ways. I too want, needs, my wits around and the memory problems give me pause. But when depression is too severe, I stay in bed all day even without ECT. Anyhow, I am lucky I can have your input and time to ponder for a while still. Thank you. You seem to have had a very rough go 
I really hope you are doing better.
Awww, that's so kind of you, thanks for telling me that. Have a great holiday season!!!
Hi, Electroconvulsive is still being used by professionals nowadays. But It may be the most effective short-term treatment for some patients with depressive symptoms, Mostly in depression. And yes it may have side effects Like drowsiness, confusion, headache, feeling sick, aching muscles, loss of appetite. So this is the short intro for Electroconvulsive. But I took my counseling from here ezcareclinic.com/depression.... And trust me it worked perfectly well for me.I hope my explanation makes sense to you.
Hi AdamFCastillo31 , so glad to hear it went well for you! My first language is not English so when you say "short term treatment" do you say it's a treatment that works quickly? Or that it works only for a short period? Thanks for the referal to the ezcareclinic. Take care
There are some very good YouTube videos on ECT. The video that I was suggested to watch from the hospital when my husband had has ECT was scary for both him and I. A couple papers I read on the subject suggested YouTube and in particular the one by some young Australians. They explained how an ECT may work on the brain. To be honest a lot to the YouTube videos explained it a lot better the Psychiatrist did. Also if you know the hospital your going to have it at see if you can Google the guidelines and procedures they use for ECTs. This way your know your legal rights too. Also this way you can ask questions of your Psychiatrist or hospital.
Having ECT was the best thing my husband for his depression. Best of luck on your journey.
Hi CPTSD , thanks for that input and so glad to know your husband benefited from it. I am leaning towards going through with it. My main concern now is about memory and effect on cognitive function. But I suppose having a slower but happy mind is better that sharp wits and despair. Thanks again and hope you are well.
Hi Eklektik It has been 2.5 months since his last treatment. He still has his wit and can laugh. I see things still but I do live with him that others(friends and coworkers) don't like example not being able to put a name to something when I know he knows the name. He says that I am to hyperfocused on the possible side effects. His knowledge is still in there and he is able to pass on the knowledge to others when it comes to anything mechanical (motorcycles to tanks). He still gets hyperfocused on things like he used to. He had bifrontal ECT. His Psychiatrist said there would be less in effect on his cognitive function and memory. There are three different types of ECT bifontal, bilateral and unilateral. I still notice some memory issues but not sure if that is from ECT, medication or MDD. Also the Psychiatrist always did some function skill test after ECTs while he was in the hospital. At home we would play crib or Bobit(kids toy) after his treatments.
Please feel free to ask me any other questions. Sending good vibes your way.
Hi CPTSD , it really looks that ECT was very helpful to your husband and the side effects very manageable. From what you say and what I read, some of the effects on memory of ECT indeed resemble those that come with depression or meds anyway. It makes me hopeful that this treatment can actually help if my latest antidepressant does not. Thanks for all the information and kindness. Be well
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