Ect Therapy

[PandaBear12212]

I've been researching therapies and this one came up: electroconvulsive therapy. It's a shock therapy where the patient is put to sleep and given muscle relaxers to prevent violent convulsions. Then electrodes are applied to the brain and the a seizure is induced. The theory is that the brain restarts itself, releasing chemicals that are lacking in severely depressed or scizophrenic patients. The death rate is 1 in 50,000. One of the side effects of the treatment is long-term or short-term amnesia. I have been telliing people all the time how I wish there was an operation to make me forget...The treatment is for severely depressed patients who have not responded to treatment. Which is how I am right now. I'm seriously considering this treatment, as I would love a chance to forget what happened to me. What do you guys think? Has anyone ever tried this therapy?

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

ECT is a pretty extreme way of going and whilst it can help some people it's known as being a last resort, not only because it can be very dangerous, it also can have a lot of extreme side effects, some of which can last for the rest of your life. I certainly wouldn't recommend for the potential amnesia you *might* get as a side-effect if not mostly because the amnesia and lost memory is during the treatment period and around the time of the actual sessions not past memories.

Also speaking from the other side - knowing I couldn't remember years upon years of my life, or how I got injuries or even why I ended up in hospital having all the signs of a miscarriage (only that couldn't be the case because I'd never had sex), I was always distressed and frustrated that I didn't know so much about myself. I still had all the symptoms of PTSD and other disorders I have because of the abuse I went through, I just didn't know why. Eventually over time when I became a little safer and more able to deal with life, I started having more flashbacks than I had before and learned a fair bit about myself (still only a fraction of what I don't remember) that I had repressed. Personally, as much as I hate those flashbacks and the memories of the abuse, I would be terrified to forget all of that because I actually ended up trusting my abuser and putting both myself and my sisters in repeated danger and also, because it did happen and I'm not crazy for no reason, just damaged because I was seriously abused.

Anyway, I'm sure someone else will post about their experiences with ECT or will share more information, but I just wanted to put this forward as a thought to bear in mind.

Good Luck

 

[Deleted member 20280]

ECT is a pretty extreme way of going and whilst it can help some people it's known as being a last resort, not only because it can be very dangerous, it also can have a lot of extreme side effects, some of which can last for the rest of your life.

@PandaBear12212 I would really listen to @Kas_Can_Fly on this one. This was a therapy I researched myself back last May before I had my initial assessment with my T. He strongly advised against any form of Electro-Therapy. He took me through EMDR and CBT and I have found both to be fantastic therapies for myself. They are obviously not suitable for all sufferers. EMDR especially as it can leave you feeling very down after session and feeling very vulnerable for days after therapy.

I would seek out a therapist that specialises in PTSD before you even consider any kind of treatment. Take their advise on what they believe is the best way forward in recovery for you.

Keep coming to this forum and post any anxieties or even a simple question you need/want answers to and one of us will bee only too willing to help in what ever way we can.

Laurie

 

[PandaBear12212]

My therapist back home treated me with both EMDR and CBT but I again I've had no improvement, its only getting worse. I'm unable to go off campus for any specialized therapists, and I'm busy paying for college and probably cant afford the therapist.

 

[TimeToHeal]

I agree with @Kas_Can_Fly. The purpose of ECT treatment is not to cause the patient to forget traumatic events, and the amnesia that may occur is most often the day of the treatment.

ECT has been around a long time but nowadays is typically only reserved for the most severe cases where all other treatments have failed.

I understand your frustration and desire for something to take away your pain. But ECT is quite a drastic treatment with dangerous side effects. I would discuss your thoughts with your therapist and/or psychiatrist as they will be able to provide you with more specific pros and cons.

Hang in there. :)

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I totally understand where you are coming from @PandaBear12212 . Not all therapies are suitable for all of us.

I responded well to EMDR but also know that there are many for whom it really is a non-starter.

My only advise regarding ECT or any form of Electro-Therapy is to be very, very cautious. Yes in cases it can be a very effective form of therapy, even treatment. But on so many cases it can also have a very big detrimental effect on the individual.

I really do wish you the best in your treatment, whatever path you decide to follow. For now just keep coming to this forum and read the threads, interact with the people on here on the Chat Page. Many of us are a lot older than yourself and we understand exactly what you are going through.

Like I said on your other post.

Massive cyber :hug: if you accept it

Laurie

 

[Deleted member 1860]

ECT is pretty extreme. Wouldn't do it unless nothing else worked. I know you *think* you're unresponsive to therapy but the truth is you've tried only two types of therapy. I've tried probably close to a dozen and I use skills from most of them. I knew someone who forgot the first 10 years of her son's life! If ECT caused your trauma memories to disappear, I think it would actually make you worse in that you'd still be symptomatic but unable to process the trauma itself.

 

[Hashi]

I've had ECT for extreme depression. Didn't help at all.

The way you're talking sounds to me like you're looking to be treated/fixed, rather than expecting to be on a healing journey. What do you expect your role in recovery to be? How much do you expect recovery to be what you do, and how much the therapist treating you?

 

[Ed Norton]

Don`t do that, forget it. IMHO

 

[digger]

the side effects of the treatment is long-term or short-term amnesia. I have been telliing people all the time how I wish there was an operation to make me forget.../ I would love a chance to forget what happened to me. What do you guys think? Has anyone ever tried this therapy?

I don't think you'll find you can pick and choose which memories you may or may not remember. I understand your desperation, but I also hope that any practitioner would ethically refuse you treatment if your reason for it is amnesia.

 

[Hashi]

Good point, @digger1. I completely missed this. But @PandaBear12212, if you hope this might wipe your memory I think you need to seriously reevaluate.

I understand wanting to put the "trauma genie" back in the bottle and throw the bottle into the sea. I'm sorry, but this is never going to happen. Processing the trauma - you processing the trauma, not a treatment doing that for you - is the only way. Sorry.

But the good news is that you can.

 

[fly away home]

My dearest friend went through three years and about 200 rounds of ect.

She now lives what looks to the outside like a normal life. But the truth is that her emotional core was destroyed. She doesn't relate to her feelings what so ever.

It's heart breaking to watch her but she said it is better than how life was for. Mind you life was extreme and most of her three years were involuntarily.

She said she would never recommend it now though. Now days there are better medications.