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| *Women health>>>Depression |
How bad do you think a person's depression should be before they get ECT? |
I have severe depression. But I am still able to type (obviously). I kind of always thought that people who got ECT couldn't get out of bed at all. I'm pretty down, but not like that. My doctor thinks I maybe should get ECT. Well I work in inpatient behavioral health (for 5 years) so kinda know a little about this. ECT is recommended when other other meds dont work and you are still suicidal or really depressed. But it is also recommended quite often for pregnant people...yes I said pregnant. The reasoning is that it is safer on the fetus to have a little zap just to your brain then to take a med that will cross over to the baby. Also in older people where side effects from meds may not be tolerated well. ECT is often used for them too. I have assisted quite a few ECT treatments before and it is really quick and easy. You are out, zapped and awake and back on the unit in no time. There is also outpatient ECT. Treatments are Mon, Wed, and Fri at the hospital I work at. 10 treatments is about average I guess. One guy, the first ECT treatment I watched, he was so depressed he couldn't even look up. After the treatment I looked and saw a man on the phone calling his bank and balancing his checkbook. To my surprise it was the same patient!! I was so surprised. This isn't always the case...but just wanted to share what I know...hope you find something that works for you. Catatonic. Seriously. Get a second opinion. I'm a therapist and i can tell you that ECT is a treatment that is not exactly held in high regard in this field. i'm bi-polar myself and have NEVER ever EVER agreed with the use of ECT in today's society. I refuse the pills too. I think it all depends on your level of wanting/needing to get better. Do extensive research. Learn the repercussions of what the ECT will do to your mind and your body. Be aware of the fact that your personal freedoms could be taken away from you by the facility who performs this "treatment". My personal advice, get a second opinion. If this guy is too quick to offer the ECT, he may be getting kickbacks from the Institute where they do it. I'm not saying try meds (i don't like them and refuse them myself), but definately try anything else. Good luck to you. I'm sorry your sadness has come to this level, but i hope you get through it. Get a second opinion ECT is an effective treatment for extremely severe depression but should only be done after all other treatments have been tried and have proved unsuccessful It is a serious treatment with serious side effects, so no matter what you decide, you should talk to at least 2 doctors before making any formal decisions. However, it is effective at times when nothing else seems to work. psychologist |
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