Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

  1. #1
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    230
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 179 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Otherwise known as electroconvulsive therapy and can share their experience? Or known someone who has gone through it?

    I have suffered from severe depression from the age of 13 now and no medication has been able to help me or just makes things worse.

    I know memory loss is common, which I can deal with. What I am worried about is it affecting my ability to think clearly, to still be able to complete tasks such as typing and simple but important things like that.

    I also fear of being an empty shell of nothing and being confused all the time. I know ECT can damage your brain in more ways than people talk about. I do not want to be a drooling zombie.

    Does anyone have any personal experience with ECT or seen how it affects a family member or a loved one/close friend?

  2. #2
    Featured Member pinkpvc's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2006
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,012
    Thanks
    130
    Thanked 252 Times in 117 Posts
    My Mood
    Angelic

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Yes! It totally changed my life for the better. I've been stable since I had it this time last year. Still have problems with anxiety but for the first time in over 10 years I can say I'm genuinely happy.

    I had 12 sessions and lost most of my memory for last year, that's the downside. Also found it difficult to concentrate for maybe 6 months. But I was never anything close to a zombie, I was still me with my ability to think and with the same personality, just happier.

    I had psychotic depression and had been hospitalized 3 times in last 3 years. I was "due" a relapse in January but it came and went without a problem

  3. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to pinkpvc For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    230
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 179 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by pinkpvc View Post
    Yes! It totally changed my life for the better. I've been stable since I had it this time last year. Still have problems with anxiety but for the first time in over 10 years I can say I'm genuinely happy.

    I had 12 sessions and lost most of my memory for last year, that's the downside. Also found it difficult to concentrate for maybe 6 months. But I was never anything close to a zombie, I was still me with my ability to think and with the same personality, just happier.

    I had psychotic depression and had been hospitalized 3 times in last 3 years. I was "due" a relapse in January but it came and went without a problem
    Thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad it was a positive experience and it worked for you.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to IvaSkye For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Jan 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    886
    Thanks
    5,071
    Thanked 1,800 Times in 699 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    I'm also looking for more information on this at the moment as I'm considering it for myself. There is also a newer treatment called Trans cranial Magnetic Stimulation which is somewhat similar.

    The memory loss issue is the most often mentioned side effect, and its difficult to foresee how severe that would be, especially as depression itself causes me a lot of concentration and memory problems. I sometimes feel like a zombie as it is, would ECT jolt me out of the fog or make it worse?

    Good luck IvaSkye.
    Last edited by JessaJade; 05-18-2015 at 03:51 PM.

  7. #5
    Member
    Joined
    May 2015
    Posts
    40
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 28 Times in 16 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    I've had a couple of clients before who have done ECT before, it helped 2 of them slightly and didn't do much for the 3rd.

    Have you ever thought about trying hypnotherapy? It can achieve pretty much the same results without the memory loss or zombie-like side effects.

    Feel free to shoot me a PM if you'd like more information about it

  8. #6
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    230
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 179 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by JessaJade View Post
    I sometimes feel like a zombie as it is, would ECT jolt me out of the fog or make it worse?
    This is what I am worried about. I feel like I can't really feel any foggier, but what if ECT amplifies it? Scary thought.

  9. #7
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    230
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 179 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by RelaxationTechniques View Post
    I've had a couple of clients before who have done ECT before, it helped 2 of them slightly and didn't do much for the 3rd.

    Have you ever thought about trying hypnotherapy? It can achieve pretty much the same results without the memory loss or zombie-like side effects.

    Feel free to shoot me a PM if you'd like more information about it
    I am not really sure if I believe in hypnotherapy or hypnosis to be honest. I have tried it in the past. I did not see a professional. I just tried to use self-help videos, which I know are not going to be nearly as effective as seeing a professional, but I assume you have to believe in it to work in order for it to have any effect.

  10. #8
    God/dess Raziel's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Somewhere
    Posts
    2,438
    Thanks
    414
    Thanked 1,568 Times in 989 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    What is ETC?
    Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it

  11. #9
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Jan 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    886
    Thanks
    5,071
    Thanked 1,800 Times in 699 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?


  12. #10
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Jan 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    886
    Thanks
    5,071
    Thanked 1,800 Times in 699 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by RelaxationTechniques View Post
    I've had a couple of clients before who have done ECT before, it helped 2 of them slightly and didn't do much for the 3rd.

    Have you ever thought about trying hypnotherapy? It can achieve pretty much the same results without the memory loss or zombie-like side effects.

    Feel free to shoot me a PM if you'd like more information about it
    With respect, are you referring to severe, life-threatening depression here?

    I am very open-minded about 'alternative' treatment methods and will always search for the most natural option wherever possible, but I do think there is a lot of misunderstanding of the differences between mild/moderate/severe depression.

    I can definitely see how things like hypnosis, CBT, and other treatments based around resetting negative thought processes can be helpful. I have tried CBT and saw some results, but they were mainly after I had therapy in conjunction with medication. Without the meds helping me I wasn't able to get much out of the therapy(talking as someone with more severe depression).

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to JessaJade For This Useful Post:


  14. #11
    God/dess SweetJulia's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rolling in a BIG pile of money!
    Posts
    2,836
    Thanks
    21,633
    Thanked 6,196 Times in 1,978 Posts
    My Mood
    Yeehaw

    Dizzy Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by Raziel View Post
    What is ETC?
    Quote Originally Posted by IvaSkye View Post
    Otherwise known as electroconvulsive therapy

    It's in the FIRST line of the post.
    Twitter:
    Cam profile: *Fave me, it's good for my ego
    General Pics:
    "Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn!"-C.S. Lewis
    Quote Originally Posted by xStacey View Post
    Close contact, for an hour, for $40? And I guess I'll have to make conversation with them too?

  15. #12
    Member
    Joined
    May 2015
    Posts
    40
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 28 Times in 16 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by IvaSkye View Post
    I am not really sure if I believe in hypnotherapy or hypnosis to be honest. I have tried it in the past. I did not see a professional. I just tried to use self-help videos, which I know are not going to be nearly as effective as seeing a professional, but I assume you have to believe in it to work in order for it to have any effect.
    For the most part yes, if you believe in it, it is much more effective. Self help videos are really hot or miss though, sounds like you got a miss. Have you seen people get hypnotized in person? Actual hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis, but it still touches on the same ideas - suggestion, relaxation, and changing thought processes.

  16. #13
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    230
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 179 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by Raziel View Post
    What is ETC?
    Electroconvulsive Therapy. Sometimes used as a last resort for severe depression when medications and/or therapy fail to have any effect anymore. Sometimes used for other disorders such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, mania, but mostly just used in the case of severe depression.

    Kind of scary procedure when you think of it, but when you feel like you are dead anyway, you are willing to try just about anything; even if it could cost you chunks of your memory. At least in my case.

  17. #14
    Member
    Joined
    May 2015
    Posts
    40
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 28 Times in 16 Posts
    My Mood
    Fine

    Default Re: Has anyone here had ECT done in their lives?

    Quote Originally Posted by JessaJade View Post
    With respect, are you referring to severe, life-threatening depression here?

    I am very open-minded about 'alternative' treatment methods and will always search for the most natural option wherever possible, but I do think there is a lot of misunderstanding of the differences between mild/moderate/severe depression.

    I can definitely see how things like hypnosis, CBT, and other treatments based around resetting negative thought processes can be helpful. I have tried CBT and saw some results, but they were mainly after I had therapy in conjunction with medication. Without the meds helping me I wasn't able to get much out of the therapy(talking as someone with more severe depression).
    Most of the clients I've seen don't have life-threatening depression, and like you said, there is a huge difference between mild and severe depression. I've referred clients to doctors in the past, which is especially important if you suspect a chemical imbalance.

    Honestly, hypnosis is more for losing weight, quitting smoking, general stress relief, etc.

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to RelaxationTechniques For This Useful Post:


Similar Threads

  1. Probiotics ect..
    By Mare in forum Body Business
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-24-2008, 10:31 AM
  2. Boob-frames, ect...
    By phairestofthemall in forum Body Business
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-14-2006, 05:15 AM
  3. fantasy showbar ect ..
    By LadyBLuePhiLLy in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-11-2005, 09:53 PM
  4. costumes, shoes , ect...
    By Meryck in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-19-2004, 10:49 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •