Discussion Electroconvulsive therapy

[SickSadSlave]

Hello. This is the first time I've posted on here regarding recovery or treatment. My depression is severe and treatment resistant. Meds have not worked, therapy has not worked. I've been very very suicidal for a very long time now. However I don't think I'll be able to make it happen anytime soon due to lack of resources. However I don't want to be suffering as much as I have been. I would like to give electroconvulsive therapy a try, but I don't know how to go about starting it. I'm scared to bring it up to my psychiatrist because I'm almost certain he is going to say absolutely not and suggest other meds and more talk therapy. For those who have had it before, how accessible was it? What was the process of being referred up until your first treatment like? I've done a lot of research on the specifics of the treatment, risks, possible side effects, the actual treatment process itself, success rate, mortality, and I've studied it in school as well as a former clinical psychology student. I'm just looking for real life experiences pertaining to the process of getting it started. Thanks in advance!

 

[your pathologist]

Hello. In the spring of 2021 I underwent 8 sessions of ECT facilitated by my Hospital's Psychiatric Department. Personally, I had the same reasons to consider it as you do. At the time I was hospitalized In-Patient in the Behavioral Health Wing for Suicidal Ideation. The doctors directly working with me had documented evidence of medicine resistance and unresponsiveness over several years of hospitalizations. My suicidal tendencies combined with my diagnosis and repeat entries into the facility for these formed a case for my eligibility.
Although I underwent treatment due to my hospitalizations, I had spoken with other patients who had been offered the procedure on an Out-Patient basis. Upon the completion of my treatment I was also informed that some people required follow-up procedures to continue experiencing "benefits".
In conclusion, the facility performing these procedures is usually headed by a Psychiatric Practice. Therefore, it would seem possible to have your own Psychiatrist write you a referral to them, or it may even be part of the same Hospital System. If your Psychiatrist denies the fact that you would be eligible for consideration, and you believe you have a case, I would seek out a second opinion with your Psychiatric records as proof. These you may request.
Not sure if you're American, but if so, Psychiatric Procedures and the laws surrounding them vary from state to state. There are also states where Electroconvulsive Therapy is illegal in general, or under certain circumstances. I would not know about other countries.
Hope to have been helpful and wish you luck in whatever decision you make.
(I also have my personal experience and opinion on the procedure but it was not requested, if you're curious.)

 

[SickSadSlave]

Hello. In the spring of 2021 I underwent 8 sessions of ECT facilitated by my Hospital's Psychiatric Department. Personally, I had the same reasons to consider it as you do. At the time I was hospitalized In-Patient in the Behavioral Health Wing for Suicidal Ideation. The doctors directly working with me had documented evidence of medicine resistance and unresponsiveness over several years of hospitalizations. My suicidal tendencies combined with my diagnosis and repeat entries into the facility for these formed a case for my eligibility.
Although I underwent treatment due to my hospitalizations, I had spoken with other patients who had been offered the procedure on an Out-Patient basis. Upon the completion of my treatment I was also informed that some people required follow-up procedures to continue experiencing "benefits".
In conclusion, the facility performing these procedures is usually headed by a Psychiatric Practice. Therefore, it would seem possible to have your own Psychiatrist write you a referral to them, or it may even be part of the same Hospital System. If your Psychiatrist denies the fact that you would be eligible for consideration, and you believe you have a case, I would seek out a second opinion with your Psychiatric records as proof. These you may request.
Not sure if you're American, but if so, Psychiatric Procedures and the laws surrounding them vary from state to state. There are also states where Electroconvulsive Therapy is illegal in general, or under certain circumstances. I would not know about other countries.
Hope to have been helpful and wish you luck in whatever decision you make.
(I also have my personal experience and opinion on the procedure but it was not requested, if you're curious.)

Thank you! I'm from Florida and the law on ect isn't as strict here thank goodness. I'm open to hearing about your experience and opinion. Thanks for asking first :)

 

[LaVieEnRose]

I don't think he would rule out the idea. It's exactly for cases like yours that it's indicated.