ECT ?

I'm sorry you misunderstood what I meant. I was referring to the amount of time I had ECT not the actual number of treatments. I kept reading that a year was the "norm". I have no idea what the "norm" is for # of treatments. I never kept track of mine and my Doctor just said everyone was different.

How hard is it to get started on ECT? Do you need a "prescription" for it or can you request it yourself?

My pdoc suggested it during one of my more prolonged hospitalizations for very severe depression and suicidality. He does them himself, so in that way it wasn't too difficult; I didn't have to go see a different psychiatrist anyway. You would first have to find a pdoc who does ECT. Different pdocs have different protocols for doing ECT. Mine wants his patients to be inpatient through the first two treatments to monitor for any problems with anesthesia, severe headaches, severe disorientation, etc. Once through the first two treatments, if all is going well, the rest are done outpatient.

Oh okay, I see.

My pdocs have been trying to get me to have ECT for 10 years, but from my own research I decided it was not the way to go for me. I always come out of my depression (bipolar) so I figure its not a long term solution for me as the depression will continue anyway and I will continue to need to be on meds.

I have a friend who is about to do a course of ECT for the 5th time in 4 yrs for situational depression. It seems everytime she gets depressed (loss of a bf/animal etc) she just goes back to ECT without even trying any of the life long coping skills that could help her. I am really worried about her having had so many treatments, with results that do not last that long, plus needing to be on antipsychotic and antidepressant medication (zyprexa for anxiety.... ) I am really worried about her and would like to know more about the negative effects so I can keep an eye on her.

To me after every treatment she is more dull and boring than before, our catch ups have turned from fun to me babysitting her... I cant lose her as a friend but I dont want to be her babysitter if she gets so fried from this round...

How long before you notice the cognitive decline?

If you decide to proceed with this sort of therapy (ECT), them 1st make a diary or a journal of your life. So if you experience memory loss, which seems to be a reoccurring theme based on what I am reading on this forum, then you have something to refer back to. I would hate to not remember life events that happened. Kinda like the movie, "Notebook". Best of luck!

I have not had any cognitive decline. In fact my mind seems much clearer and free from all the suicidal thoughts. I have been having ECT every 2 weeks for almost 1 1/2 yrs.

I had no cognitive decline; neither did my husband or a friend who had ECT. It doesn't happen to everyone.

I've been pushing for ECT for the past 2 years with my doctors they are all saying no due to the fact I have seizures and tumors.... tho from everything I read online -- it can be a life changer...

My friend has come out after 2 sessions almost brain dead, doesnt remember the last 4 months of me babysitting her. Doesnt remember any of the shows we watched or what we did.

I met quite a few people when I've been inpatient who have forgotten their careers. I see them over and over again getting ECT which lasts at best 6 months for them.

I read an article on a study that people with a higher level of intelligence have more to lose and do tend to lose it, where as those with lower intelligence dont notice much of a difference in memory and cognition.

I guess I dont understand how inducing seizures is good for the brain...

Well, I'm of pretty high intelligence and haven't had those problems. It is not unusual for someone in the middle of treatments to be disoriented and have memory issues, but most often, those problems diminish after treatments are over, so judging a person's long-term outcome while they are in the midst of treatment isn't really doable. During my husband's treatments, he was very disoriented, but within a few weeks of the end of this treatments he was completely fine.

Have to agree with Lolagrace.....I think of myself as fairly intelligent. I have a demanding job that I feel I handle well. My reviews are always excellent and I do well with ECT. In fact I am able to return directly to work after my treatment with no problems. Everyone responds to ECT differently. I may be one of the lucky ones, but it has quite literally saved my life. Don't knock it until you have tried it:-).