Posted by Karen44 on January 17, 2007, at 16:47:29
In reply to Karen44 and ECT, posted by UgottaHaveHope on January 17, 2007, at 1:01:01
> I read one of your replies above regarding your educational background. I do not know exactly what you do, but it sounds like something very important. Let me ask you a few questions: I often think I am smarter than the doctors, therefore push for what I think is my best avenue for treatment: Are you the same way? Have you ever had a pdoc earn your trust with his or her ideas for your treatment? What does your husband, who is a doc, think your best treatment would be? How have you been able to function at work all these years with such disabling depression? Gosh you are strong. Michael
Michael, I am a clinical psychologist who now does forensic evaluations, ie, I do psychological evaluations now just for the criminal courts such as competency to stand trial, sanity evaluations, pre-plea/pre-trial evaluations (mostly sex offenders), and I do some sentencing evaluations. I used to do custody evaluations as well but got out of it other than one this year. Given the nature of my work, I also testify in court,and this worries me as often I am not in court to testify until months or even a year after I do the evaluaton.Yes, I know there is a huge risk to ECT. In talking to the EDT doc on the phone to make a consultation appointment, I told him I am concerned about throwing away 24 years of education. Of course he said he understood. That really doesn't mean much to me unless he can agree to some of my conditions.
As far as my pdoc is concerned, yes I trust him. That does not mean I always agree with him and will tell him so. He respects my expertise in the field as well and has been very helpful to me in many ways. I have never tried to become expert in medications, and it is my understanding that he is expert in this area. I trust him that he has my best interests in mind.
I don't know how strong I am; I was able to fake not having severe depression for the past two years. Before that I was not depressed for over 20 years. When I started to develop all sorts of physical problems and needed multiple surgeries in 2005, I got really depressed. I had not had a medical procedure done before that since 1984 when I had a D&C. So, I was blown out of the water so to speak. Now, my depression has gone to profound to doubly profound. I don't feel I am functioning efficiently at work now. I am also suffering from all the things people complain of from ECT like problems with concentration, problems with short-term memory, confusion, etc. This is not good. I have to do something about it. Hopefully the Provigil will help, but I have to be realistic and consider that ECT may be what I need to do. My husband, well he views ECT as an assualt to the brain and says I might as well let someone hit me in the head with a bat multiple times and have multiple concussions. He will not interfere if I get ECT, but I think what it comes down to is he is scared of what might happen to me. So am I. I won't deny that.
Karen
poster:Karen44
thread:723063
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070113/msgs/723301.html