Posted by bob on January 9, 2002, at 0:00:35
In reply to ECT » Guinnee Pig, posted by sid on January 8, 2002, at 16:53:29
Sid:
I have done a significant bit of reading on ECT, and have gathered that it seems to be extremely effective, across a broad range of conditions. I would have wanted to ask that doctor two questions however:
1 -- Wouldn't he have been the least bit worried about the memory problems? From everything I've read, they haven't eliminated that, and for some it is worse than others. It would seem to me that it would get rather difficult to perform as a doctor with memory lapses.
2 -- Would he be willing to face a life of maintenance treatments, since it is basically an accepted fact that remission gained from ECT treatment doesn't last?
3 -- Is he recommending ECT with no med maintenance afterward? I'm not even sure anybody proposes this currently. I think it would be difficult to find a doctor that would do this. Also, many doctors like to do ECT as an inpatient treatment.
I *hate* to suggest this, but there may be politics and money involved also. If people were able to sustain mental health with maintenance ECT, the drug market could be dented, and you would definitely have less reason to see your psychiatrist as often. I hope none of that is going on, but you never know.
One question for you: Do you know where this doctor was from, and what hospital/health system he was associated with? What tv show did you see it on?
poster:bob
thread:88793
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/89387.html