Posted by Shadowplayers721 on April 18, 2008, at 21:06:06
In reply to Re: ECT Question, posted by Dopamine123 on April 13, 2008, at 11:00:34
I haven't had the tx, but I did know a patient that did.
The patient was the most depressed patient that I have ever seen. She was acutely suicidal and none of the antidepressant medications were showing the slightest improvement in her condition. Everyday, she was trying to kill herself in the most unimaginable ways possible in the hospital.
Her treating MD ordered ECT therapy. This woman made a dramatic improvement. She went from being mute, refusing food, not dressing herself, to a person writing, wearing make-up and participating in singing in a group.
While I am sure not everyone's response would be as dramatic as this individual, I think each case should be evaluated with the risks and possible gains of the treatment. Additionally, I think the level of depression and the lack of response to traditional treatments should also be apart of the evaluation process to determine if one is a candidate for ECT therapy.
poster:Shadowplayers721
thread:822155
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080412/msgs/824150.html