Does electric shock therapy help?

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Just wondering if it's worth asking for it. Has anyone here benefited from having it? I feel sad most days no matter what. I'd love to be able to be happy. I know other people can't bear me being unhappy.

It doesn't do anything for AS. There has been some research done that shows it can help with depression that will not respond to SSRI meds. What exactly are you looking to relieve?

to the OP, ECT is a blunt instrument that is a last resort when other methods fall down. it comes with memory loss which can make a mess of your daily affairs, if you have no external support system to compensate for this. it is not to be entered into lightly. a better method is now being used-
Regional-Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation, which involves a powerful magnetic coil placed over a part of your head which transmits strong magnetic impulses into your brain. you are awake when this happens.

How does TMS work?
TMS uses focused magnetic impulses to non-invasively stimulate the brain in the pre-frontal cortex (the region of the brain associated with mood regulation). During a TMS treatment, a clinician gently places a magnetic coil against one side of a patient’s scalp.
The magnetic impulses are generated by an electric coil that is positioned on the head above the left prefrontal cortex. The magnetic fields penetrate approximately two to three centimeters beneath the coil directly into the brain to produce electrical currents. These currents activate cells within the brain that are thought to release neurotransmitters, which play a role in mood regulation. Since depression is believed to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, TMS helps restore balance and relieve the symptoms of depression.

The Advantages of TMS
TMS is non-invasive and requires no anesthesia or sedation. The procedure typically lasts an hour during which time patients are awake and alert. Because no medications are administered, there are no systemic effects or cognitive (memory and ability to concentrate) after-effects, therefore patients can return immediately to regular activity.

Treatment
Patients typically receive 20 – 30 treatments over four to six weeks (five times per week). There may also be a taper phase. The course of treatment will vary according to each individual. An initial assessment will determine the appropriate dose of the magnetic pulse and the exact area of the brain the coil should target. As the treatment progresses,
the clinician will conduct periodic re-evaluations of the dose level and coil placement.
During a treatment session the patient sits in a comfortable reclining chair similar to that found in a dentist’s office. A headset is applied to deliver the magnetic stimulation. Ear plugs are also provided to decrease the loud clicks associated with each magnetic pulse and the patient is given the option of watching TV. During the treatment the patient is monitored continuously to ensure correct positioning and comfort level.

Are There Risks and Side Effects with TMS?
More than 10,000 treatments were safely performed during clinical trials. Patient reported no side effects like those associated with antidepressant medication (weight gain, dry mouth, drowsiness, etc.), no seizures and no cognitive side effects (memory loss, ability to concentrate). Scalp discomfort during the procedure is the most common side effect.
TMS should not be used for patients with implanted metallic devices that include metal plates in the skull or aneurysm coils, clips or stents. Special precautions are recommended for individuals with implants such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Matt, hell no. Electric shock therapy is degrading. You can figure out how to get through your problems. You don't need that.

I have quite bad anxiety which leads to depression often. I had a chat with my psychiatric nurse yesterday and he managed to convince me it's worth believing people who look upset are probably not upset with me.

I don't like upsetting people (even strangers) so I'm trying to think they're probably upset about the weather, stressed about money, are in a rush to get somewhere or maybe they're having problems with people at the moment and are wary of strangers a lot because of it.

For now that's keeping me from having a meltdown. When I asked about shock therapy I was in a much worse state and what was worrying me was I keep on upsetting my mother and probably most the rest of my family who are all nice people I care about by keeping on needing to complain to them about problems.

I don't see how electroshock will help you with that. CBT is your answer.

Matt, it's a very last resort thing and whilst it can work on severe depression, it's not without its risks (memory loss etc.) and I haven't heard of it being used for anxiety or aspergers.

What other forms of treatment have you tried so far (drugs or otherwise)?

I got ECT for severe depression some years ago. It helped me a lot.

It can have an effect on short time memory, but not long time memory, and only during the time of the treatments and a short time after. It's not a permanent thing.
As for me, the things I forgot were not very crucial anyway. I forgot the code to my door when I got home again, but it was quite new anyway, and as soon as people showed me the code, I didn't forget it again (as long as it was used; it was changed sometimes for security reasons).

The psychiatrists only recommend ECT in severe cases.

I've tried a few anti-depressant medications which all made me have physical side-effects I couldn't live with, mainly wanting to pace about and feeling restless. I've also had 2 years of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy about 5 years ago and it stopped when I moved to a new area unfortunately.

It seems electric shock therapy works for some people like for you, Anne, which is great. I also know my brother has had ECT last year and he's stopped being so argumentative and agitated and seems quite content now.

You couldn't live with feeling restless? Sounds to me like a small price to pay to avoid crippling depression, but each to their own I guess.


Is there any way you can find a new psychiatrist who does CBT? Alternatively, you can get self help books (cheaper!) that are supposed to be a sort of DIY-CBT



Does your brother have bipolar by any chance? ECT is also used for that. Unfortuntely, just because it works for your brother doesn't mean that it will work for your state of mind. By all means, talk to a psych about it, but I think they would probably want to try a different set of treatments first.

hey matt, my grandmother, mother and two sisters have had ect. yes, we're a fun family. it was used on my grandmother to keep her under control when she was locked up. my mother needed it for bi-polar disorder and both my sisters for severe depression. ect worked in all 4 cases, best i know. i have very little to do with my family so i haven't kept close tabs.

like others have said, last resort. hopefully, your doctors will explain fully about what to expect and the number of treatments you might need. actually pretty safe now with light current used over many treatments.

hope things work out well for you.

to lene......maybe you do not realize how devastating side-effects of ssri/others can be. feeling like your heart is going to tear itself out of your chest, insane pulse rate, constant sweating, NO SLEEP, bizarre thought patterns.
give me depression anytime.

No, I think it's inhuane

did you even read the rest of the thread? It's not inhumane and is only used in severe cases.

both are bad. i'd forgotten about the profuse sweating that saturated my clothing even in cold weather. i'd forgotten about the hot flashes that made me feel like i was in front of a blast furnace. i do not miss any of that, at all.