ECT Risks and Effective

Good day everyone: I was curious as to whether anyone here has had ECT treatments done to them, and if they have, what side effects were noticeable. Right now I'm pushing my pdoc to consider ECT treatments, but he is against it as I maintain extremely high grades and he does not want to mess with my brainwaves. I was curious as to how valid this concern is, in other words, how dangerous are ECT treatments really. I know there is alot of stigma from the 60s and 70s regarding ECT, but from what I've read online, it is a safe process. Any response would be appreciated.

Hello, BigMike. Is being referred to another psychiatrist for a second opinion and option?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Definition - Tests and Procedures - Mayo Clinic
http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/07...ect/57762.html

Hi, interesting articles you posted. I really like my current pdoc and he has been very supportive to me so I really don't want to switch. I guess his concerns are valid, I mean being in college memory loss or confusion is something you cannot really afford. My medications help out alot, I am just tired of fighting the constant battle if you get what I mean. Even medications aren't a cure, like I still feel depressed even on them. Not to mention the psychotic symptoms or panic attacks. I guess I really am considering ECT in the hope that it cure me, as much as I know there is no real cure for mental illness. Atleast holding onto the hope helps though.

I have had ECT treatments twice and they were helpful, but you MUST understand. ECT is a treatment with temporary effects; it is NOT a cure.

Memory loss is pretty standard though the extent of that loss varies a great deal. I was fortunate. What memory loss I had was isolated to the period of time just before I started treatments through the treatments. I didn't lose all memory; it was just certain short term things. Not particularly bothersome. Once treatments were finished, memory recovered quite quickly. I had no lasting side effects. That said, it didn't prevent me from having future problems with depression. I chose ECT because I was extremely ill, in the hospital, and facing long-term hospitalization. I would NOT choose ECT under any less circumstances. It really is a treatment of last resort. It helped me recover, get home, and resume my life, BUT I still needed medications, therapy, etc. IT IS NOT A CURE.

On the other end of the spectrum from me are people who have severe memory loss problems, both long and short term. Others say they have had cognitive loss due to ECT. I completely believe that is as equal a possibility as my positive outcome.

No one knows how any one person will respond to ECT or what lasting effect might occur. You must realize going into ECT that there are definite risks. Are you willing to live with those or not?

I was fortunate and ECT did what I needed it to do at the time. I would have it again, but only if I was in the severe condition I was in before, and fortunately that has not happened again.

Hi, thank you for your response. I realize it's not a cure or anything like that, I just consider it as maybe the method that can help me put the final nail in the coffin of this depression and maybe my meds can keep it down. I have actually had family who had ECT done on them before for depression, but unfortunately that family member is no longer alive anymore so I can't ask them about it. I guess my pdoc is right, it may not be the best idea while in college, can't risk my academic success just yet, mind you the medications help alot though but unfortunately they aren't a cure. Maybe one day scientists will figure out a cure for depression and other mental illnesses, probably won't be in our lifetime though.