[Terabithia]

I know this type of treatment has been successful for some people, but I worry about going in the hospital and being in a really vulnerable state, without being able to tell what is good for me, and a doctor giving me these without my consent. I was just wondering how often this happened. I just don't think it's something I will ever need since I've always responded well to medication. I read recently that doctors will use this procedure to treat not only depression but psychosis? I would have freaked out completely if this had happened to me last time I was in the hospital (I thought they were giving people lobotomies)!

[Sometimes psychotic]

In my state it's illegal for them to do ect or psychosurgery without consent....even meds without consent requires an emergency or court order...

[Terabithia]

I guess that's what I worry a little about - getting a court order because I'm not in my right mind to give consent. I'm hoping it's not something I need to worry about, but the way things work sometimes make no sense. I once was committed to a hospital, but it was strange because I wasn't even wanting to leave. Another woman I was in the hospital with had to get transferred to another hospital and they put her in hand and leg cuffs, but she was completely passive - it was just procedure. Kind of crazy I think!

[insilence]

i have developed a method along with meds that may reduce the severity of the audio and tactile hallucinations. ive shared some on other posts. if your desperate to silence the commentary in your head ask me.

[jgo27]

It's true that a patient can't receive involuntary without consent. I was close to receiving an ECT a few years back because I was a minor and it was my parents decision. They've now told me it was a last case scenario, but my onset was at about 14 years old and was extremely severe. With a regular medicine regiment I was able to see what would be in my near future if I didn't start cooperating. All in all a medicine treatment that's maintained could prevent an ECT scenario. Though many have had positive outcomes from it. Sorry for the rant, if you want to talk PM me.

[Terabithia]

Originally Posted by insilence

i have developed a method along with meds that may reduce the severity of the audio and tactile hallucinations. ive shared some on other posts. if your desperate to silence the commentary in your head ask me.

I've only gone through two periods in time where I was hallucinating, and I've gone into the hospital both times. All in all, my meds work well to treat that part of my illness. Maybe, I could prepare for those times though? As far as commentary goes, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm constantly criticizing everything I say and do, but recently I was told to only judge myself by my intentions. I think that will take away half the critical commentary that goes on inside my head. What type of commentary do you usually have to deal with?

[Terabithia]

Thanks for all the reassurance.

I've read here on PC about someone filing something called an advance directive or advance psychiatric directive that's supposed to protect your right in these circumstances.

I'm not from the US - I'm not even from an English-speaking country - so I can't help you further than that, but internet probably can.

[Terabithia]

Originally Posted by Breadfish

I've read here on PC about someone filing something called an advance directive or advance psychiatric directive that's supposed to protect your right in these circumstances.

I'm not from the US - I'm not even from an English-speaking country - so I can't help you further than that, but internet probably can.

Thanks for the info. Breadfish.

[worthit]

Yes, we had an example in my NAMI peer to peer class. Its called Advance Directive For Mental Health Care Decision Making. You can get it off the net. It asks for input if you are incapacitated such as:"I prefer liquid medication" and,"I find being physically restrained frightening".

[TaterChip]

Originally Posted by Terabithia

I've only gone through two periods in time where I was hallucinating, and I've gone into the hospital both times. All in all, my meds work well to treat that part of my illness. Maybe, I could prepare for those times though? As far as commentary goes, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm constantly criticizing everything I say and do, but recently I was told to only judge myself by my intentions. I think that will take away half the critical commentary that goes on inside my head. What type of commentary do you usually have to deal with?

I think maybe (s)he was talking about like, some people hear voices regularly. And sometimes the voices just keep a running commentary on what you're doing. She's picking up the phone, opening the door. She turned on the TV, don't watch that.

Stuff like that. I think,.

I'm not sure if posting this will help you or make you more anxious, but I have had ECT without my consent. In the UK (I don't know which country you are in), they can give you 2 ECT treatments without consent under section 62 of the MH Act. Two Drs have to consent that the ECT is urgently needed: in my case it was my pdoc and the pdoc who performs the ECT, who I imagine is pretty pro-ECT! :/ Then, after 2 treatments, you would undergo a capacity assessment by a SOAD (Second Opinion Appointed Dr who is independent of the treating team). If they deem you have capacity, then you can refuse any more ECT treatments. If they deem you lack capacity, they will continue ECT for as long as you lack capacity and the doctors deem it necessary.

I found forced ECT incredibly traumatising. Despite that, I think it might have helped. When I had the treatments, I was convinced that the Drs were trying to kill me; that ECT would kill me, despite having seen it performed many times as a medstudent. I wasn't against them killing me though as I was very suicidal (why I was sectioned in the first place), just them killing me before I had a chance to say goodbye to my brother who was away at Uni but due to visit that weekend. Two treatments dissuaded me of that delusion and also made me slightly less depressed, so I passed the capacity assessment. I likely would've voluntarily had more treatments, everyone said how much better I was, but my treatment team had decided by that point that my symptoms were made up and so I went through that trauma for nothing. Not being believed is actually as equally traumatising for me as forcing me to lie on that bed and have the ECT.

I hope my tale hasn't made you more anxious about involuntary ECT. Most people who have ECT do so voluntarily. They are very desperate granted, but technically do consent voluntarily.

*Willow*

[thickntired]

I'm in US and I know 2 people who have undergone voluntary ECT treatment. Both were in extreme bouts of year/+ long suicidal depressions. My bipolar friend who just had it done has been in the psych ward 4 times in the past 2 years. Once was in a psych med enraged blackout where the police had to escort her to the hospital. She finally was in patient for a month and with her pdoc made the decision for ECT. When we spoke she was a little concerned about things like why couldn't she drive right away or what was her bank balance etc. Her short term memory was affected. I asked her if she was depressed? No. Was she suicidal? No. How did she feel? I don't really know. Overall, it was an improvement from when she checked into the hospital. Carrie Fisher had it done and wrote about it in her book Shockoholic. It's a good book, and she has gone on to do many things since.

I don't think there's a big concern as I believe it's used as a last resort for extreme cases.

[jaynedough]

My first round of ECTs was at a major teaching hospital. They told me that if I didn't consent to it, they'd send me to a state hospital. Might as well have been forced. They did 16 treatment before realizing that it wasn't helping.

A few years later, my newer PDoc suggested it and, being incredibly desperate, I consented. Not beneficial then, either.

In between these times, I was put in a state hospital. I was handcuffed for the two or three hour drive. The nurses were shocked when that hapened, as I was not violent. The second time I was committed to a longer-term hospital, the deputies did not cuff me &, in fact, lit a couple of cigarettes for me on the way, even though they didn't smoke.

Back to ECT: Even though it didn't work for me, I have seen some fairy miraculous results in some people.