Hey everyone. I mentioned a while ago that I was going to start ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) for my depression. I’m starting tomorrow and keeping a video blog of my experience. I just uploaded my first video (Before ECT). I will post videos as the treatment progresses. Here is the address to the link. If you ever have any questions, post them on the youtube channel comment section and ask.
Whitney
17 comments
the science surrounding ECT seems iffy at best, I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews coming from people who have experienced it and many tend to be on the more negative side. I wouldn’t do it to myself, but I hope it works for you
I’ve heard great things about ECT, really cool of you to share. i wanna know what your future experiences with this. keep me(us) updated please.
I will. Check back on the youtube channel often as I might not share it more on this site..
I’ve talked with a few people who had cognitive/memory issues (some severe) after ECT treatment. It doesn’t happen to everyone, and some people swear the treatment works wonders for them, but it seems like one of those binary love it or hate it things. Hope it goes well for you, but if you start having any kind of weird memory problems, take those seriously as soon as you notice ’em.
I think that I will ultimately be fine. Most experiences I’ve read about/watched, have been positive. In any case, I’d rather have a little short term memory loss than be suicidal.
my memory is already shit, but what little remains of it is very precious to me, but I understand. personally I think there are much better methods of treating suicidal tendencies with far less risks of damage, but who knows
I actually met one of the people I was talking about on this site – dunno if he’s still around or not these days, but he experienced almost anteretrograde amnesia following his course with ECT. Not just short-term memory deficits. Everything has risks, though – it’s a matter of whether those risks are worth the potential payoff. If it were me, I’d probably look into TMS treatment rather than ECT, but I’d still give ECT a try if nothing else worked leading up to it.
@lorax
that’s actually terrifying to hear
Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing. I am sure it was not an easy decision to make.
Thank you.
Best of luck to you and thanks for sharing. I am sure it was not an easy decision to make.
electroconvulsive therapy sounds kind of barbaric to me. But I hope that it works for you.
It’s nowhere near as torturous as you’d imagine from Hollywood. They actually have a relatively safe and pain-free method for it these days. And like I said, it does work extremely well for a good number of people taking it.
Exactly. One of my reasons for making this video journal is to educate people on the process and possibly open the option up to others who are suffering through the hell of depression.
An uncle of mine underwent this shock treatment back in the ’70s, amongst a host of other treatments aimed at frying your circuitry to effect some form of therapy. He still walks around in a pink bath robe with curls in his hair and a tomahawk in his hand, and I’m often confused as to whether I call him aunty or uncle.
I wish you well however, and it’s damn brave of you to document this journey you’re about to undertake. All the best, and I hope that this helps you for the better.
Good luck! I hope it works and you’ll get the maximum benefit. And thanks for posting the video here and sharing this, it is much appreciated.
Oh Shep, it’s nothing like it was in the 70’s silly. It is rather safe these days with very minimal side effects, it is closely monitored and if anyone undergoing treatment experiences adverse effects they discontinue treatment immediately. It has had some very promising results, so has transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS, which is less invasive.
In any case, I wish you luck sweetie, hope you feel better real soon. Good for you for trying everything available to you. You are very brave and one hell of a role model for others.