I once suggested to my psychiatrist that I have ECT, but she tried me on Seroquel which worked. Also, I once worked in a mental hospital and accompanied a patient to his ECT treatment. The treatment seemed easy for him and I was impressed with how much it helped.
My father had ECT in 1975 to help him recover from deep depression. It worked, but in many ways he was never the same. His short term memory ability was degraded. His personality was slightly different. No doubt ECT techniques have been changed and hopefully improved since 1975, and I am certainly not a medical psychiatric professional, but - - - in my humble opinion, ECT should be a last resort. I'd love to hear some professional opinions on this.
yes, in the late 90's i had ect (several rounds) on 2 separate occasions. the first time made me somewhat better but the second time i went home in worse shape.
My wife will be starting ECT on Tuesday, or perhaps even Monday at Genrose facility at St. Mary's. I do not know what to expect in terms of supporting her.
My wife will be starting ECT on Tuesday, or perhaps even Monday at Genrose facility at St. Mary's. I do not know what to expect in terms of supporting her.
I did this so you can connect more easily with other members who are familiar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) like @hopeful1953@kathadilly@marjou@eczarniecki and others.
Xinlihan, you're so wise to ask others about how you can support your wife as she prepares for ECT treatment this week. When she wakes up after the procedure, she may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. She will appreciate you being there as something familiar.
I can imagine it is unsettling to not know what to expect. Have you thought about requesting an appointment with a social worker at Mayo Clinic to talk about your needs and to learn what is available to help you support your wife?
I did this so you can connect more easily with other members who are familiar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) like @hopeful1953@kathadilly@marjou@eczarniecki and others.
Xinlihan, you're so wise to ask others about how you can support your wife as she prepares for ECT treatment this week. When she wakes up after the procedure, she may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. She will appreciate you being there as something familiar.
I can imagine it is unsettling to not know what to expect. Have you thought about requesting an appointment with a social worker at Mayo Clinic to talk about your needs and to learn what is available to help you support your wife?
I often make a disclaimer that I report on ME and my treatments because I don't usually make generalizations. About 25 years ago, I received ECT. My response from my first two treatments was unexpected. I went into the treatments with confidence that they would work. In 1945, due to Battle Fatigue, my dad was 21 when he was transferred from the European theater and transferred to the VA Center in Valley Forge, PA. He was 21. I felt that if he were brave enough to receive 1940s Era Electro Shock Therapy, that I would try it around 1997.
My psychiatrist prescribed 12 sessions in my treatment plan. I received ECT twice at the hospital by my psychiatrist. Afterwards, I would go home and weep. I asked that for the rest of the treatments, I would be in-patient at a behavioral health center. After 4 more treatments, with same reaction of Weeping for hours, my psychiatrist decided to discontinue the treatments. When I asked, "Why?" His reply was, 'I'm not getting the results I anticipated."
Throughout the rest of the summer, I felt impaired. I didn't feel safe driving. I chose to walk to and from my appointments.
I went into the treatments with an open-mind. I don't know why I did not respond. However, the convenience of recuperating inpatient helped me recover in a safe environment, receiving inpatient services such as talk & group therapy, recreational therapy and a sense of feeling safe. My son was 17 & my daughter, 15. No one needed to be subjected to my unexplained despair.
I hope your treatment plan
is successful. Be an advocate and share your thoughts and concerns.
Body, mind and spirit help maintain balance.
I hope you experience wellness.
My wife will be starting ECT on Tuesday, or perhaps even Monday at Genrose facility at St. Mary's. I do not know what to expect in terms of supporting her.
@xinlihan I’ve had several ECT treatments and my personal experience has been some memory loss and no improvement with depression. There is anesthesia for each treatment. The most helpful is to have someone there who cares as one wakes up from each treatment procedure. Hope this helps your wife.
@xinlihan I’ve had several ECT treatments and my personal experience has been some memory loss and no improvement with depression. There is anesthesia for each treatment. The most helpful is to have someone there who cares as one wakes up from each treatment procedure. Hope this helps your wife.
Thank you for your reply. I am sorry you have had no improvement with depression. It is very, very tough to get out of that trough. Wish you positive results going forward.
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I once suggested to my psychiatrist that I have ECT, but she tried me on Seroquel which worked. Also, I once worked in a mental hospital and accompanied a patient to his ECT treatment. The treatment seemed easy for him and I was impressed with how much it helped.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy father had ECT in 1975 to help him recover from deep depression. It worked, but in many ways he was never the same. His short term memory ability was degraded. His personality was slightly different. No doubt ECT techniques have been changed and hopefully improved since 1975, and I am certainly not a medical psychiatric professional, but - - - in my humble opinion, ECT should be a last resort. I'd love to hear some professional opinions on this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsyes, in the late 90's i had ect (several rounds) on 2 separate occasions. the first time made me somewhat better but the second time i went home in worse shape.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy experience with ECT treatments are some memory loss and no improvement with depression.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy wife will be starting ECT on Tuesday, or perhaps even Monday at Genrose facility at St. Mary's. I do not know what to expect in terms of supporting her.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@xinlihan, welcome. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- Has anyone used ECT Therapy for depression? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-8/
I did this so you can connect more easily with other members who are familiar with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) like @hopeful1953 @kathadilly @marjou @eczarniecki and others.
Xinlihan, you're so wise to ask others about how you can support your wife as she prepares for ECT treatment this week. When she wakes up after the procedure, she may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. She will appreciate you being there as something familiar.
I can imagine it is unsettling to not know what to expect. Have you thought about requesting an appointment with a social worker at Mayo Clinic to talk about your needs and to learn what is available to help you support your wife?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI often make a disclaimer that I report on ME and my treatments because I don't usually make generalizations. About 25 years ago, I received ECT. My response from my first two treatments was unexpected. I went into the treatments with confidence that they would work. In 1945, due to Battle Fatigue, my dad was 21 when he was transferred from the European theater and transferred to the VA Center in Valley Forge, PA. He was 21. I felt that if he were brave enough to receive 1940s Era Electro Shock Therapy, that I would try it around 1997.
My psychiatrist prescribed 12 sessions in my treatment plan. I received ECT twice at the hospital by my psychiatrist. Afterwards, I would go home and weep. I asked that for the rest of the treatments, I would be in-patient at a behavioral health center. After 4 more treatments, with same reaction of Weeping for hours, my psychiatrist decided to discontinue the treatments. When I asked, "Why?" His reply was, 'I'm not getting the results I anticipated."
Throughout the rest of the summer, I felt impaired. I didn't feel safe driving. I chose to walk to and from my appointments.
I went into the treatments with an open-mind. I don't know why I did not respond. However, the convenience of recuperating inpatient helped me recover in a safe environment, receiving inpatient services such as talk & group therapy, recreational therapy and a sense of feeling safe. My son was 17 & my daughter, 15. No one needed to be subjected to my unexplained despair.
I hope your treatment plan
is successful. Be an advocate and share your thoughts and concerns.
Body, mind and spirit help maintain balance.
I hope you experience wellness.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes I have had about 8 ECT treatments for severe depression and some loss of memory with no improvement on depression.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@xinlihan I’ve had several ECT treatments and my personal experience has been some memory loss and no improvement with depression. There is anesthesia for each treatment. The most helpful is to have someone there who cares as one wakes up from each treatment procedure. Hope this helps your wife.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you for your reply. I am sorry you have had no improvement with depression. It is very, very tough to get out of that trough. Wish you positive results going forward.