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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by OldSchool on March 12, 2002, at 20:09:12
http://www.barrykramermd.com/info.html
Information About ECT
The topic of electroconvulsive therapy has sparked feelings of fear and barbaric machinations since its introduction in 1938. This misconception has been fueled by bad press and an inaccurate portrayal in the media. In fact, electroconvulsive therapy (E.C.T. or shock treatment) is an extremely safe and effective treatment for certain psychiatric disorders. Today E.C.T. is most commonly used to treat patients with very severe depression. E.C.T. Is often the safest, fastest, and most effective treatment available to treat this illness. E.C.T. is also occasionally used in the treatment of patients with manic illness and patients with schizophrenia.
When it was first introduced, E.C.T. Was the only effective treatment available for severe psychiatric disorders. Hence, it was at times given to patients in the hope that "something that might work is better than doing nothing!" While today many of these patients would have been treated differently, there were no other options available at that time. The techniques of administering the treatment have also changed very much since its introduction.
If your physician suggests that you be treated with E.C.T., You most likely have a disorder that (s)he believes will respond to E.C.T. Discuss this with your doctor. Most E.C.T. In the United States of America is given only with the consent of the patient. If you do not want to have E.C.T., it is highly unlikely that you will receive it against your will. You must sign an informed consent form that specifically conforms to requirements set out by this State. In addition, in California another psychiatrist or neurologist must see you in consultation and agree that E.C.T. is the best treatment for you and that you are capable of giving an informed consent for the treatment.
E.C.T. Is given as a course of treatments. The average number needed to successfully treat a severe depression is between 6 and 12. It is highly unusual to feel better after only one treatment. In fact, most people don’t even begin to notice any change until they have had at least 4 treatments.
If you agree to have E.C.T., the treatments are usually given 3 times a week–usually Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (Although the specific days and frequency may vary–consult your Doctor). You must not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your scheduled treatment. Do not take your usual morning medicine before ECT unless your doctor tells you to. It is important that you do not eat or drink anything. Please try to refrain from smoking in the morning prior to your treatment. An intravenous line will be started shortly before you are treated.
Although you will be asleep during the treatment, it is necessary to begin to prepare you while you are still awake. Electrodes are placed on your head for administering the treatment and also for recording your E.E.G. (electrical measure of brain activity). Electrodes are placed on your chest for monitoring your E.C.G. (cardiogram). A blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your arm for monitoring your blood pressure during the treatment. A monitor is placed on our finger to measure the oxygen in your blood. When everything is connected, the machine is tested to insure that it is set properly for you.
Most of what is described above will not be remembered by you. Next, a medicine (such as Brevital, methohexital) is injected through the intravenous line that will cause you to sleep for 5 to 10 minutes. When you are asleep, a muscle relaxant (Anectine, succinylcholine) is injected. This will prevent you from moving about during the treatment. It may give you a mild amount of muscle soreness, but this will pass. During this time, you are being assisted in your breathing with 100% oxygen. When you are completely asleep and your muscles are completely relaxed, the treatment is given. If you were watching the treatment instead of receiving it, you would notice your toes wiggling– but little else. You continue to receive oxygen until you awaken.
When you awaken, you will be very confused. This is partially due to the anesthesia and partially due to the treatment. With most people the confusion passes by lunch time. Occasionally, someone may be confused for the entire day. This cannot be predicted. You may have a headache from the treatment. If you do, this is caused by the muscles of your forehead contracting very tightly–like a tension headache. It is usually relieved by Tylenol or aspirin. If you have a headache after one treatment, you will probably have it after each treatment. Please remember to tell your doctor if this happens.You will also most likely experience some memory loss following the completion of the treatments. Recent events, dates, names of friends, public events, addresses and telephone numbers may be forgotten. This memory loss should gradually reverse itself over the course of several weeks or months, but you may never remember many things that happened to you during your hospitalization. A very few people report some memory problems for years. Please – Use your memory!-- Read!--Ask questions!–Write things down!--Watch continuing stories on TV.!–Ask Questions! This is the best way for you to help your memory return.
You may have read about brain damage with ECT. The scientific evidence concerning ECT as it is done today has not demonstrated evidence of brain damage.
ECT is an extremely effective form of treatment. It is often safer and more effective than the available medications for the treatment of depression. It is without a doubt safer than no treatment at all. If you have any questions about ECT, please discuss them with your physician.
You may also wish to read the following book. It was written by a psychologist who was against people having ECT–until he had a severe depression and needed the treatment himself. His book, which describes his illness and also the experience of having ECT, is often reassuring to people who read it:
HOLIDAY OF DARKNESS
by Norman S. Endler
Wiley-Interscience, New York
1982.
Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.
Toronto, Ontario (paperback)This next book also is written by a psychologist. It describes her depression and treatment, including ECT:
UNDERCURRENTS: A LIFE BENEATH THE SURFACE
by Martha Manning
Harper San Francisco
1995This next book is written by the most widely known neuropsychiatrist in the field of ECT. It is
specifically meant for patients and their families.ELECTROSHOCK: RESTORING THE MIND
by Max Fink
Oxford University Press
1999
Posted by Mags on March 15, 2002, at 19:14:42
In reply to Good ECT info, posted by OldSchool on March 12, 2002, at 20:09:12
Hi Old School, Thank you so VERY much for this info. I am going to make my decision known to my PSYdoc on Monday. We have discussed it thoroughly and he and his senior think it is the way for me to go.
I have spent the last four weeks on a Pysc ward in hospital due to thoughts of suicide plus a botched attempt. I am out this weekend and have been researching. I feel hopeful again as I usually do when starting a new med. My doc feels I am a good candidate. They usually only do them at this hospital in Canada if you are treatment resistant and /or very med sensitive (me). They only do bilateral and it is done twice a week and I will be hospitalized.I am very much leaning towards doing this.
Any comments from those familiar with ECT or having experienced it please, I welcome your comments.
Thanks!
Mags
Posted by OldSchool on March 15, 2002, at 19:36:18
In reply to Re: Good ECT info » OldSchool, posted by Mags on March 15, 2002, at 19:14:42
> Hi Old School, Thank you so VERY much for this info. I am going to make my decision known to my PSYdoc on Monday. We have discussed it thoroughly and he and his senior think it is the way for me to go.
>
> I have spent the last four weeks on a Pysc ward in hospital due to thoughts of suicide plus a botched attempt. I am out this weekend and have been researching. I feel hopeful again as I usually do when starting a new med. My doc feels I am a good candidate. They usually only do them at this hospital in Canada if you are treatment resistant and /or very med sensitive (me). They only do bilateral and it is done twice a week and I will be hospitalized.I am very much leaning towards doing this.
>
> Any comments from those familiar with ECT or having experienced it please, I welcome your comments.
> Thanks!
> MagsIm seriously thinking about it also. Tired of the usual psychopharmacology BS.
Here is more good info on ECT:
http://www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000108/Default.htm
This is the end of the thread.
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