Posted by IsoM on January 9, 2002, at 0:38:58
In reply to Re: ECT » sid, posted by bob on January 9, 2002, at 0:00:35
Dr. Harris (can't remember his first name, sorry) associated with the UBC hospital psychiatric ward, Vancouver, BC told me of a patient that came in once of month for ECT. He didn't elaborate except to say the man didn't respond to any medication & this was the only way to keep him functional. Apparently, he lived an otherwise normal life.
This was at least 5 years ago & I don't know what has happened since.
> 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:
>
> > 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.
poster:IsoM
thread:88793
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/89389.html