Has anyone had electroconvulsive therapy?

[Springisnear4]

Has anyone had electroconvulsive therapy or know anyone who has and can share any experiences please?

I have a friend whose wife has had this recently. She’s suffered with moderate to severe depression all her adult life (now in her 60s).

I haven’t seen her since she started the treatment but he’s been incredibly praising of it. My understanding of ECT is from outdated cinema/literature perspectives but from what he’s said it’s been gamechanging for her. Very different nowadays to the old ways, as I understand it.

Is it something you’re considering?

You may think this silly but I have seen at least 2 videos on tiktok about ECT, all positive. Have a look, even if you don't learn anything but see how others deal with it.

My dad has had it several times and it was successful for him. He has little memory of the treatment or anything else that happened around the same time.

I haven't had it but I've seen patients who have had it done. They usually have a course of so many (I'm not sure how many it is). When they first go they're usually clearly very depressed and each week you see the improvement in them: their behaviour, demeanour, stature etc.
I always thought it was a bit of old medical nonsense, but I guess there must be some clinical benefit to it after seeing these patients and since it's performed on the NHS (who aren't likely to waste money they don't have on stuff that doesn't work).

It was a lifesaver for my brother. I got flack from family in Australia, as it's considered barbaric & apparently outlawed over there. But he was so deep in the hole, had tried to take his life, terrible self harm. It was last resort. It did change him, short term memory shot, some politeness filters gone. But mostly all good & 15 years he's still here, takes heavy duty anti depressants, still sees psychiatrist monthly, but leads a normal independent life.

I have been an ECT nurse. It gets a very bad press because the idea of inducing seizures is quite scary and it does feel like a very medical procedure for the person undergoing the ECT in contrast to other mental health treatments. However, it is used for depression that has proved resistant to other treatments and I have worked with people who gave experienced amazing results from it, including a woman who was so depressed she was non-verbal and doubly incontinent who had a complete turnaround after ECT.

It can be life-saving for some people. If it's been proposed as a treatment for you or a loved one, I'd suggest speaking with your/their psychiatrist to get a reliable idea of the pros and cons for your/their individual case.

My Neice had a very positive experience of ECT. Whilst she couldn't see it, we, her family and friends, saw her 'old' self emerge and remain for almost a year.
Unfortunately the effects have not been long lasting in her case.

I had really bad PND, couldn't get out of bed. Awful. Many years ago now but it saved my life. No recurrence at all and no ill effects.

It's absolutely nothing to be frightened of at all. Having said that, have you been able to try the really old school MAOIs at all?

What's an MAOI?

Both my father and sister had ECT for depression - sister also had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Although they had good results initially, both eventually committed suicide.

Edited for typo.

@Springisnear4 They are a very old type of antidepressant which are rarely prescribed and only ever as a last resort. They are said to be marvellous for the treatment resistant amongst us but they do come with dietary requirements which you absolutely MUST stick to. I'm sure someone more knowledge than me will be along shortly though.

@Springisnear4 my mum had it a few years ago. She was suffering from severe depression and psychosis and had to be sectioned. The doctor said no amount of medication would help and suggested ECT. I was scared as I always thought it was barbaric but it's recommended for severe depression on the NHS website and the doctor said it was particularly effective in cases such as my mum's. She had several sessions and we started seeing results after the first few. It was one method of treatment alongside medication and therapy etc. and she is better today than she has been in years.

It's a type of antidepressant, I think there were quite a few side affects and food restrictions with them
I used to be a mental health nurse but I qualified in the 90,s and MAOI,s were not prescribed that often than.

Yes a friend has had the full course twice. Great improvement but it doesn't last. She's now back where she started. She's an alcoholic and has damaged her brain, is paranoid and barely functions (doesn't wash etc).

No i have never had ECT but I have witnessed it many times as mental health nurse
I have seen some great results too
It's a controversial treatment but as a last resort. When nothing else worked it can work really well.

I have had a lot of it in the 1990s. I had then undiagnosed bipolar disorder and the anti depressants made me psychotic. I had far too much of it.

At one point I had a course of 20 sessions.

I have brain damage as a result. Lost a lot of memories and have no spatial memory sense of direction at all.

I know of others who have found it helpful but I would never have it again

What are the good restrictions?

You would have to Google them I qualified in 1996 and they were rarely prescribed then I just remember there was a list of foods that a person couldn't eat with them.

I qualified in 1981 so my memory is a bit old and hazy. You had, as I recall, to avoid chianti wine and some cheeses and marmite.

I worked in the ECT dept for a few months after qualifying. The results were astounding.

Definitely at least in the short term I appreciate there were some patients who had long-term memory loss and appreciate that ECT remains controversial

But even in the late 90,s we regularly had patients who had ECT courses
I have seen patients who were practically catatonic where ECT worked for them.

@Bunniemalone- your family in Australia is talking crap. It's used here as well, it's juts some people have negative connotations from ignorance with no understanding of the process or that it can help.

My friend has had 2 courses of this over the years, she suffers from major depressive disorder and has been hospitalised many times. I think there were about 10 sessions per course and whilst there may have been initial improvements, they have not lasted and she is no better for the treatment. I believe that whilst they may repair some of the brain, it damages other areas of her personality so for example when she is starting to go into a depressive period, she can become unreasonable and argumentative, there is no reasoning with her. I am unsure she would agree to undergo further treatments.

I consider my life to be at risk as I suffer very severe depression. I'm thinking of asking for ECT but am afraid I'll be denied. I've tried all available medication and it's not working.
I don't know why they've not offered me it already to be honest they know I'm struggling badly.
I fear developing depressive psychosis it's so severe. It's very scary.