ECT

I don't know if this is really appropriate for this forum, but I'm a little worried.  I just turned 16, (this fall I'll be a junior) and I'm about to get ECT (electroconvulsive therapy or "shock" therapy).  I've been struggling with severe, treatment resistant depression for 9 years and I've tried almost 30 anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, etc medicines and nothing has helped.   I've steadily been getting worse, and I've attempted suicide 8 times.  To complicate matters, I also cut frequently, have anorexia, have severe anxiety and am possibly bipolar.  I've been hospitalized 11 times.  So, next week (if my ekg and labs are alright) I'm going to start getting ECT as an outpatient, 3x a week.  

I'm excited, considering it has an 80% success rate, but also quite nervous that I'll have permanent memory loss/other complications.

So (sorry for the life story) I was just wondering if anyone else has gotten ECT, or considered it.  How did it turn out?  Did it help?  What kind did you get?

Thanks so much.

I haven't had ECT, but a lot of people who get it say it has saved their lives.  Yes, the memory loss is concerning, but if you end up dying from suicide, you won't have a life to make memories with.  If you don't treat your depression, all you'll be remembering is your pain.

I wish you the best of luck.  ECT is very daunting indeed.  Remember, you don't have to commit to lifelong ECT treatment--if it isn't working for you, stop.  I think it takes quite a lot of sessions before permanent memory loss takes place, though I know there is some temporary memory loss after sessions.  I sincerely hope that you find a treatment that will help you. 

it's scary, but for some people it works very, very well.  memory loss is almost always temporary.

do you trust your doctor?  that's important.  it sounds like you've tried a lot of things already, so this is probably the next logical step.

i hope you have other supports in place as well.  you've been depressed since you were seven?  that's so awful! 

this might be just the thing for you, swimfan (and i appreciate you coming back.  that's brave.  if it's you).  it's totally normal to be scared.  but if you're doubtful--if you really don't believe it's going to work--don't do it.  the most reliable predictor of the success of any treatment is the belief of the patient.

deep breaths.  you're going to be fine.

Hi Swimfan,

I have not received ECT treatments but I have been inpatient at a hospital where practically everybody around me was. I too, have severe depression, along with anorexia, ptsd, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I've also been severely suicidal off and on for the past 4 years. I'm interested in knowing how this treatment works out for you, I've thought about it myself. I'm 20 years old by the way.

Sorry I don't have any info to help you out, but I wish you the best of luck and hope this provides some relief for you. I think it would be worth trying.

Olivia

Hello Swimfan

You just described my life.  I have treatment resistant depression and yes I did cut and yes I tried several times to kill myself.  I'm not anorexic.  I binge eat.  I do suffer from severe panic/anxiety disorder to.  I have been hospitalized more times then I can remember.  I had ect treatments several years ago and at the time it saved my life.  So don't be afraid of it, go for it.  The memory loss is alot less then I thought it would be and now I don't have any memory loss from the ect.  I will be honest with you I still have some down times but I promise they are not as severe as they were.  Also I am taking abilify with wellibutrin and that combo of meds is working good for me.  Please be brave and do this.  I promise you feel no pain.  I haven't been hospitalized in a long time.  I do not cut myself anymore.  The panic attacks aren't as bad as they were.  One thing I did do after the ect treatments was to continue my therapy.  I still see my therapist.  But I think everyone could benift from seeing a therapist at one time or another.  I'll be thinking of you.   I truly beleive the ect treatments have helped me.

Good Luck to you

Thanks so much everyone for all of your support.  I can't express how much it means to me.  I will be getting my first treatment on monday, 8:00am.  I'm not expecting miracles to occur, but I am hoping I  will at least get some relief.  

K192, I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of these awful diseases.  They're so unfair.  But I'm glad things are looking up for you, that gives me hope.  

xx