[Wander]

I thought it would be fun and inspiring to share quotes from various mental health advocates of all shapes and sizes.

Today I am trying to get back into reading. I have chosen Carrie Fisher's 'Postcards from the edge'. So far, I have made it through the forward written by the amazing Stephen Fry. In it he quotes Carrie Fisher's response when asked about electroconvulsive therapy. Her response is:

"I love it, but it does affect your memory. Oh and the other thing - it affects your memory"

She was a true advocate, and a hilarious one at that.

"When I feel down and someone tells me 'Suck it up' [or "Keep your chin up"] I get the urge to break their legs with a baseball bat and then say 'Walk it off'".
- Unknown

"I'm not weird. I'm limited edition."
- Unknown

"No matter who you are, where you've come from, what you've been through...You can make a difference in this world."
- Demi Lovado

[Wander]

I hope I didn't upset anyone with the electroconvulsive joke. I have had it done and lost significant memory and thought it was funny so though others might too. it didn't cross my mid that it might upset anyone.

Originally Posted by Wander

I hope I didn't upset anyone with the electroconvulsive joke. I have had it done and lost significant memory and thought it was funny so though others might too. it didn't cross my mid that it might upset anyone.

I personally think the joke is fine. Even if people do get upset with the joke, you're simply showing us what someone else said. Let them get mad at whoever made it (Carrie Fisher) if it really offends them. But personally, I don't like to take these things too seriously. There are a lot of other things in life to worry about, and one will make oneself go insane by getting offended by everything.

[cashart10]

Don’t feel like looking anything up right now but just wanted to say I love Carrie Fisher!

[Daonnachd]

Wander, I loved Postcards from the Edge. I can't remember anything about it now, but I know I loved it at the time.

Since I'm probably the king of ECT here at PC I want to say that the Carrie Fisher quote in your original post wasn't offensive in the least.

l've had ECT with significant memory issues. I thought the statement was funny. I find it helpful sometimes to laugh at my current and past situations. Of course there are some that shouldn't be laughed at, but many can be. It can be a way to release the pain. I'm fairly good at letting some past stuff go to free myself of it. Not perfect, though.

I've definitely learned over the years that people have different senses of humor, and that some have absolutely none. Obviously one's situation can determine ability to find things humourous, too. I may not have found the ECT joke funny around the time I was having it. As written, now I do.

[PsychoPhil]

I like the joke, too. Technically, does ECT affect short term memory same as long term?

[Tryingtobehappy5]

"I dont drink these days, Im allergic to alcohol and narcotics. I break out in handcuffs."

"I guess sometimes I want to have a drink with dinner. But then I remember that I have plans for christmas."

Both by Robert Downy Jr. Also both about alcohol but since my alcohol abuse and bipolar feed of each other i felt they are still relevant. And i like your humour i find these funny because I end up wearing handcuffs the majority of times I drink and I literally ruined my entire family's(dad, siblings, hubby and kids) and mostly my plans for Christmas this year(just don't tell them i find this funny lol)

Also love Carrie Fisher

"Theres a part of me that gets surprised when people think Im brave to talk about what Ive gone through.
I was brave to last through it."

That one definitely gives me strength when I talk about my bipolar to others. Stigma affects me and others around me and I want to be able to help end it.

[Wander]

Originally Posted by PsychoPhil

I like the joke, too. Technically, does ECT affect short term memory same as long term?

ECT generally only affects the memory around the time of the ECT and your normal memory function returns soon after. Unfortunately for some ECT can literally wipe out a significant chunk of past memories and/or make storing new memory difficult. This is rare but it does happen. I was one who lost months of past memories. Last year Had ECT late October and barely recall the entire year. Thankfully though my other memory functions are now fine.

[wiretwister]

how could any star wars fan not love the princess

liked this one .... to mock the visa commercial

" a friend with your same mental issue ... golden " ...

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by PsychoPhil

I like the joke, too. Technically, does ECT affect short term memory same as long term?

Short term? I have to write down everything I need to retain. My short term memory is shot.
Distant memories? I have huge holes in my memory in terms of memories of experiences, but more problematic are the absences of functional skills. I get lost on roads I've driven for 30+ years. When I'm doing mathematical calculations I have to use my phone for simple arithmetic like 7x4.


With all that said, I see the holes in my memory as surprisingly beneficial. It means I'm not beating myself up over the horrendous mistakes in my past.


Sorry, probably more than anybody wanted to read about my ECT experience. I got going and couldn't stop.

[Tryingtobehappy5]

Originally Posted by Daonnachd

Sorry, probably more than anybody wanted to read about my ECT experience. I got going and couldn't stop.

I thought it was very interesting. I appreciate being able to read peoples experiences here. I look at it as someday I might need to have or consider the same treatments and I have used other things I have read here in my choices already.

Also I often overshare, way more than that. If people don't want to read it they don't have to