Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

[loui50]

My doctor and therapist have recommended ect for me. Has anyone gone through this that can share what the experience is like?

 

[Sideways]

Twice. I did 2 courses at different strengths. I tried it for chronic suicidal ideation, and was at the point where I was prepared to try anything. Glad I tried it, even though it didn’t really achieve anything.

I know quite a few people who have used ect for different mental health issues. Definitely the best outcomes that I’ve witnessed are in people who have a psychosis element to their mental illness. My sister had maintenance ect for at least a couple of years.

Some people do have memory issues - all I ever forgot was the duration of my treatment. All the issues you get with an anaesthetic you’ll get (so you won’t be very lucid or remember the day of the treatment), and my sister started to have more serious memory issues which was ultimately why she stopped using it.

ECT has a tonne of misconceptions around it, and that makes it pretty scary. If you’ve had not much luck with other treatments and it’s been recommended to try? Definitely worth thinking about. But talk to your doctor about the facility providing the ect, because while some places use real ect pros and take a whole lotta care of patients having ect, there are other facilities that tend to just process as many patients as they can, which can impact the outcome and whether the process is helpful or just really awful.

 

[loui50]

@Sideways , thanks for your input. I found a location that does ect near me, recommended by my psych and t. I've been there twice to get all the paperwork in order for insurance and the ladies seem really nice. I am supposed to start treatment tomorrow and I'm really scared. I've been on all the SSRIs, anti psychotic meds, benzos, buspar. Nothing is working. I have had depression since I was 14 and PTSD since I was 26. I'm 40 now. I had a good run for about 10 years on lexapro and abilify, but it quit working. I'm seeing my t 2x a week and emailing her daily just to keep my head above water. She is great, but nothing is helping so I guess I give this a try. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[somerandomguy]

I've known two people who had ECT. One of them had it done to her against her will, which is considered torture and against international law if you're a prisoner of war, a refugee, or a political prisoner. She was none of those, so she was out of luck. The other person ended up with severe memory issues. Neither were happy with the results.

On the other hand, I have read about people for whom ECT completely cleared up their depression with a minimum of side effects. So it seems like it's a mixed bag.

 

[Sideways]

but nothing is helping so I guess I give this a try.

I hope it’s helpful for you. Remember that you can withdraw consent to further treatment at any time if you decide that it isn’t for you, so you remain in control of what happens to you:)

 

[bellbird]

Remember that you can withdraw consent to further treatment at any time if you decide that it isn’t for you, so you remain in control of what happens to you:)

An important point to highlight.

It's understandable to feel really scared about something so different and new.
Sending my best wishes that it goes smoothly for you.

While I was inpatient, a woman was having ect. I was only there toward the end of her therapy (I think she had 2 sessions left to go when I was discharged), but I heard from other patients who'd been there longer that it had helped her tremendously.
For a psychotic related illness, I believe.

I hope it is very helpful for you too.