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Mental health

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Flip

Original poster

anyone had ECT?

14 replies

joanofarchitrave · 27/04/2013 22:54

DH is likely to start it this week. I feel a bit nervous about him having it, but we have to do something. Just wondered what others' experiences were.

OP posts:

BettySuarez · 27/04/2013 23:01

A long time ago as I student nurse, I saw patients undergoing this.
All I can recall is that many, if not all of them, swore by the treatment and felt that it really did help them.

Sorry, this is not much help I know.

Original poster

joanofarchitrave · 28/04/2013 11:53

no, that's really helpful, thank you Betty.

OP posts:

mumtoaandj · 28/04/2013 21:06

no but i was in hospital 10 years ago with people who were having it. they swore by it, the main problem was that straight after it their memory was awful and their short term memory was non existent. it was very disturbing to see people forget who you were, where they were etc but after a day this went and their moods did lift. good luck x

smileyhappymummy · 28/04/2013 22:32

Yes - I had two courses of ect around 10 years ago.
No major memory problems although my memories generally of the time when I had severe depression are less good - I think this reflects the fact that I was very unwell.
I felt sleepy and worn out afterwards and used to spend a lot of that day asleep but was certainly well aware of who everyone was etc.
It worked when nothing else was working. Had tried multiple antidepressants and was really struggling with depression. Ect didn't get me to being 100% well on its own but it contributed and it did get me to the point where I could function, eat and drink reasonably and get a little bit of enjoyment out of my life again. I did get 100% well again too and since then have completed a degree, two postgraduate qualifications, stayed in work and had two beautiful children without having any episodes of depression for the last 8 years or so. Once upon a time I wouldn't have believed it was possible for me to get well (partly because I didn't believe I was ill, just that I was a bad person, crappy illness that it is) but i did and I have.
I would have ect again without any hesitation in the same position.
Good luck to you and your dh, I hope your light at the end of the tunnel is very close.

bassetfeet · 28/04/2013 22:39

Havent had it myself but have worked with anaesthetists who assist .
It works from what they told me . We discussed the ethical stuff one day and they told me they were happy to assist ethically wise because it does work and is gently done with good care .
sending very good wishes to you and your DH.

moggiek · 28/04/2013 22:47

I agree with smiley - I wouldn't hesitate to have it again. The results for me were miraculous, I really didn't think that I could recover. That was 32 years ago, and still going strong!

Original poster

joanofarchitrave · 28/04/2013 22:48

Thank you all, this has made a real difference. Got tears in my eyes now Feel a bit cautious about telling people in RL about the details of treatment (dh deserves privacy anyway) so it's wonderful to be able to ask.

OP posts:

bassetfeet · 28/04/2013 22:52

The fact hospitals are still doing this treatment is proof it works my lovely.
a hug for you both . And it is gentle and kindly done .

Nannyme1 · 29/06/2013 16:37

I had quite a few rounds in my teens. My memory is a bit pathetic!
I still needed to do a lot of work after but compared to what I was before it really was amazing!

susiedaisy · 29/06/2013 16:46

Not me but a close friend who had awful PND she had it as a last resort when all else had failed and it was a complete success she was like a different person after several treatments, that was 11 years ago, good luck hope it all goes well.

Juneywoony · 29/06/2013 16:58

I had two courses of it in my late teens/early twenties and it literally saved my life! I wouldn't hesitate to have it again. Yes I did get memory loss but as someone else up thread said I don't have great memory from any of my major depressive episodes, I wouldn't want to.
There is no need to tell anyone in RL only my family knew, it is such a personal thing.

I hope it goes well for your Husband, x

larahusky · 29/06/2013 22:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cailleach · 29/06/2013 23:06

I know someone who had this done as a last resort when nothing else had worked, and she is more or less back to normal functioning now.

This is a woman who spent not months but years in psychiatric care, so that's quite something...hope it goes well for your DH.

mamadoc · 29/06/2013 23:16

I've seen it really benefit a lot of people.

It is a big deal and saved for a last resort when drugs haven't worked or the person is very seriously unwell but it is really effective and often gives a very quick improvement. Quite often I find that people who've benefitted previously are actually asking to have ECT if they are ill again so I think that's a good recommendation.

There is a stigma attached but I'm not sure why. It isn't cruel or barbaric to see done. I guess it has a bad reputation from the past but these days it's done very professionally with an anaesthetist, full theatre staff, proper anaesthetic and muscle relaxant.

I really hope it works for your DH.

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