ECT

[madcatladyforever]

Has anyone on here had ECT? I am considering it as I have complex PTSD that is unresponsive to any drugs and counselling. This is our last option.
Believe it or not I manage to hold down a responsible full time job with all this going on and nobody knows.
But we're coming to the end of the road with treatment now, they think I've had it for around 40 years and nothing is working.
I'd like to give ECT a try but I'm really concerned it will affect my intellect and ability to work. I haven't paid off my mortgage yet.
Anyone?

Hi, I had ECT several years ago, but to treat depression (which co-existed with an eating disorder). It did help and gave me an immediate lift - I felt so much better from about the fourth treatment. However, I had about four courses over an 18 month period, and it wasn’t a cure-all, but it did give me hope and optimism, a taste of what life could be like, and the strength to work in counselling.

As for damaging intellect, I do wonder if it has affected me, and an educational psychologists reports suggests I have poorer than expected working memory function. Since having the ECT, though, I have gained a first class degree, a distinction at Masters level, and PhD. I’m not sure I’m as sharp as I once was (which could just be age), but given time, I can still function.

I sonny know if that helps you at all, but good luck with whatever you decide.

Wow that sounds amazing Equimum, if you've managed to do all of those things then it obviously hasn't affected you that much.
The menopause has definitely affected me with regards to memory and so on so I think I will give it a go. I'd like to have a shot at happiness.

It isnt something to undertake lightly. I wanted it but after really talking it over with my psychiatrist I decided not to. Apparently you cant drive for a year afterwards in case of seizures and that was what stopped me as driving is essential for my job and my therapist lives an hour away so I wouldnt be able to see him.

Really. A whole year? Bloody hell.

I live in the middle of nowhere. I dont know how id manage.

If you dont mind me asking what have you tried for cptsd? I've recently been diagnosed with it and unsure what it really is and what treatment is best. I had inititally been treated for anxiety and depression but now it's been altered to cptsd.

Yeah that was what decided it for me. Because it is basically inducing a seizure, they can recur. So its the same rule as epilepsy, you have to be 12 months clear of seizures before you get your licence back. I would be so isolated without my car and unable to work.

Have you tried hypnotherapy, op? I've read it can be very successful in treating ptsd.

That's not true about the driving. You can't drive for 2 weeks or so after the course finishes, or during the course of ECT. This usually means around 6-8 weeks total without driving.

If you're having maintenance ECT you can drive but not on the day of the treatment or for 48 hours afterwards.

The seizures don't reoccur, it's the general anaesthetic that prevents you driving more than anything.

I've tried all the talking therapies and that great popular thing mindfulness. I have the concentration of a gnat so I still don't get the point of .indfulness. brain says nope I'm not interested and shuts off. All of the drugs which do nothing for me except make me sleep really well. Trouble is the abuse started at three and I'm 60 now. I feel Id have had a better chance if I'd started when I was younger but I wouldn't accept help from anyone which is part of the not trusting anyone problems. I personally think I have irreversible brain damage not just from the abuse but being repeatedly beaten around the head from a young age. Its a whole bunch of comorbidities not just the one thing.

I think its a wonder I function at all but I do somehow. Sheer bloody mindedness I think.

Yes I have had ECT, would be twenty plus years ago now. I had severe PND/puerperal psychosis. It didn't work for me but the lady who was treated alongside me seemed to miraculously recover. I have some memory loss from around that time but that could be as much down to how ill I was as the depression. I remember having headache afterwards but not severe and sorted with paracetamol.

That's not true about the driving. You can't drive for 2 weeks or so after the course finishes, or during the course of ECT. This usually means around 6-8 weeks total without driving.

Thats not what I was told in the hospital. The psychiatrist was very clear that I wouldnt be able to drive for 12 months and DVLA said the same. Its the only reason I didn't go ahead with it. I would check and double check OP in case guidelines have changed.

This is the RCPsych guidance from July 2020. You can drive once the course is finished (subject to whatever medications you are on and your current mental health obviously)

@justchecking1 Thanks! I will look back into this. Sorry for the derail OP, I hope it works for you and could end up joining you!

What about EMDR? 💐 x