Electric shock treatment. Any knowledge or opinions welcome....

[parker1313]

My dad has been asked if he agrees to having this treatment.
What does anyone think about it?
Have any of yourselves had it or know of anyone? Thanku in advance

Do you mean Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT)?

I was offered it during a really bad patch while I was an inpatient. The thought of it absolutely terrified me, thankfully I didn't have to have it.

They only do this really as a last resort... your poor dad must be in a very bad way.

Personally I wouldn't have it done - it basically causes you to have convulsions and can lead to memory loss and goodness knows what. Has to be done under general anaesthetic and you have stuff in your mouth to stop you biting through your tongue.

I know it does seem to work for some people, but the fact they cannot really explain why worries me - just seems too risky.

The NICE guidence is here

NICE

There is also some information here:

ECT

If I was severely depressed I would definitely want to have ECT - it is effective, and works very quickly, when standard antidepressants can take weeks to work.

I have seen many many people have ECT, and it really is amazing how someone can start to improve within a few hours of their first ECT session.

My mum tells me her friend has had it - she'd had really bad depression about 10 years ago, which she recovered from after a few months and then it hit again a couple of years ago and didn't go away (had therapy, drugs etc). She got to the point where she didn't want to go out, couldn't cope with people calling round unexpectedly... Straight after the ECT she was a changed person - for the better - was organising trips out with friends and pretty much back to normal.

My Dad had ECT when he was in his 20s. He'd got to the point where he just couldn't function and the very rare times he talks about it, he refers to it 'mending' him.

I'm bloody terrified of it personally, but that's because I know nothing about how it works.

I had ECT when my youngest was 10months old(he's now 10) as I was in hospital in a really bad way.
It did help in the short term, but long term it hasn't.
Not sure if it was partly due to losing my memory, I don't remember my youngests first year, not a single thing and it was/is a horrible feeling.
I had horrendus headaches for days after each treatment.

I was offered it again last year but I couldn't deal with the memory loss.

It can be life-saving in some circumstances (i.e treatment of catatonic depression)

I think I would have it having weighed up all the pros and cons (inc. potential risks, such as memory loss)

IME I have seen it be very effective in the elderly - particularly those with an agitated depression

I have seen someone having ECT and it wasn't that bad they were given a short acting general anaesthetic.
I also worked with someone years ago who ended up having it and she got better almost overnight.

I remember my gran having this when she was suffering badly with severe depression

after the treatment she seemed to be in a less depressed place, but she had lost her memory - as I recall she could remember her childhood and younger years, but had no recollection of more recent events, including a lot of travelling she had done, my mum's childhood, etc

she was in her 70's when she had the treatment - I would say she lost her memory from age about 40 onwards

she was extremely bitter about this and tbh it clouded the rest of her life - so the positive effects of the treatment were ultimately outweighed by the upset at losing her memories

she died aged 95, suffered from depression for so many years

this was all 25 or do years ago though, I would assume tha treatments have become more sophisticated now

hope your dad is alright

I had it almost 30 years ago, when I was 22. I had the maximum course, twice a week for 6 weeks, and it saved my life. Drug treatment just wasn't working, and although I was apprehensive, I knew I had to try. I've never regretted it, and have been well ever since.
Does your dad know exactly what happens?

I think the treatment has become much better than the type people had decades ago.

I've seen it given and was pretty shocked the first time but the change in the patient was incredible (for the better). It is often considered when patients are seemingly resistant to pharmalogical treatments. Leaving someone on medication that clearly doesn't work and impacts on quality of life (at times even puts life at risk - suicide) is much worse than giving someone ECT. But it is not an easy decision for any consultant or indeed patient. Ask your father's mental health team if they can give you some info on the treatment. I assume the team have consulted a SOAD (second opinion doctor - independent) as they are obliged to do this by law. Is your dad a voluntary patient or on a section?

Hi sorry have only just come online again. Thanku for all the advice.
My dad list his brother a yr ago&hasnt been the same since. He had a psychotic episode which caused a section. He had a spell in hosp. He is still deeply depressed. Nothing is working so this is def the last resort. I think he should have it.

my nan had it in the 70s ,it worked but she lost her memory. silly things like how to cook,ect .worth it if last resort,hope he gets better soon.

Thankyou kindly

I know someone who has had ECT in the past year - it really SHOCKED me (groan), I didn't believe they DID such things anymore! However, together with other treatment, it did the trick