ECT or clomipramine?

[hk1993x]

Please help.

I am in such a dark place right now and my psychiatrist today told me that he thinks ECT would be beneficial for me but I would need to be an inpatient. I don't want to leave my home, my hubby or my kids. I've been sobbing my heart out and cant stop. He mentioned changing medications again or adding something else in but it would be a complex procedure and more likely to get worse before it got better.

Any help or advice please 😔

Are you being forced into treatment @hk1993x?

No but that's the only 2 things he thinks will work for me x

Do u have a definite plan in place now @hk1993x ? Hope you’re ok lovely ❤️‍🩹

Not really, was sent home today to really think about it. He isn't going to push me to take the ECT but thinks it will help me. I'm unsure though, I don't want to stay in hospital for 2 weeks 😔 then what if it doesn't work? Don't know what to do 😔

I really feel for you, I don’t honestly know what I’d do if I was given that choice, I hate that we are left to decide our fate sometimes when we are clearly emotional and confused enough with our mental health anyway! 🙈 x

I've seen ECT done a few times and worked with people who have had it. A lot of people imagine one flew over the cuckoos nest type treatment but it's really quite boring in reality! I remember my shock at going on holiday for two weeks and saying goodbye to a patient who was so depressed to the point he wasn't eating or drinking. When I came back I went into the ward and he walked past me saying hello and asked me how my holiday was! I was shocked! Totally different person! For people who have treatment resistant depression or who are catatonic I've seen it work really really well.
One of my friends is a psychiatrist and does ect clinics (in Scotland!) and he has always said he would absolutely pick ect any day!

ECT works! It is a really effective treatment and most people experience no lasting memory issues.

I’m an RMN and would go for it if offered. A good psychiatrist will also ensure you have the right antidepressant in the background too otherwise there is a risk of relapse when treatment stops.

Being in hospital is not pleasant but it would be a huge leap towards your recovery. Depression can be absolutely relentless. I hope you are able to make an informed decision.

Thanks everyone, I always feel though it's the anxiety over the depression so that's why I'm worried it won't work. The anxiety gets so bad that I end up in a depressed state afterwards.

I'm going to ask if i can do a medication change to clomipramine once I'm in hospital or taper down while getting the ect and then start the clomipramine.

Really really hope this works for you @hk1993x , hopefully you can let us know how you got on in a few weeks time 🙏 will ur husband be allowed to visit? Sending u so much luck xxxxxxx

I've a similar story. Worked in theatres where we did ECT 3x a week. The difference in our patients was amazing. Obviously you get to know people a little bit when you see them so regularly. One woman with PND will always stick in my mind. When I first met her she was so shut down and I remember she had a very detailed plan made for exactly how she would commit suicide. Over the weeks the change in her was huge. She went home and back to her family so much better.

There are of course downsides, which need to be considered in your decision making process, but please do include it as a potential treatment option if it's been suggested. I wish you all the very best