The Mayo Video uses a cartoon to show the procedure
MSNBC… not a full treatment, but a “demonstration”
Here is a VERY dated video… but it includes Max Fink (the master) the the full procedure
The BBC in the UK showed this video of a real patient getting ECT.
Questions: What is your evolving opinions about treatment options for brain illnesses?
I work with several patients who have received this treatment. Do you support this kind of treatment? I have some doubts about it, such as how much memory loss it actually cause.
Doubts are healthy, likely, about any treatment. 🙂
Despite my own, i do support electroconvulsive therapy, considering the research and my own anecdotal experience. Keep on.
I read in the WSJ that 9 volts, precisely applied, can improve one’s math skills.
Got any of that?
i’d like some of that too
Dear Doc Sana,
Sorry I am a little tardy in responding to this post but the fact is I support therapies that do have the potential to emit efficacies for the major depressive patient as long as the patient and/or one’s support persons are reasonably educated also as to the potential devastating side-effects.
Unfortunately and to the best of my knowledge as a half-century support person to my spouse and others there still is no way of knowing in advance as to who will or will not be a responder to any given therapy. With that said and also having first-hand knowledge as a support person I would consider placing ECT lower on my list of treatment options as a result of the potential for serious memory and cognitive side-effects. Add to the fact that the positive benefits of this particular therapy are known to be short-lived.
With the advent of VNS and rTMS I’d opt sooner for these therapies although the bigger issues relating to these therapies are obtaining health insurance coverage for these therapies.
Then too and in the pipe line is DBS. Each has its potential for serious side-effects with rTMS according to reports exhibiting the least.
In my opinion, I would only now opt for ECT if suicidal ideations were overwhelming and uncontrollable. Also knowing that which I do I would not consider a so called “full course of treatment” once the pattern of suicidal ideations are abated and/or broken. There is always time to administer additional treatment (maintenance therapy) if necessary. My concern for the patient is to avoid the potential for permanent memory and/or cognitive issues.
What also should be emphasized is the fact there are several means of administering ECT such as unilateral, bi-frontal and bilateral treatments with the ladder offering the greatest potential for memory and cognitive issues.
Sincerely,
Herb
vnsdepression@gmail.com
http://www.vnstherapy-herb.blogspot.com
http://www.vnstherapy.wordpress.com
i like your sites you referenced Herb. thank you.
thank you also for your personal reflections. we need your voice. keep on.
Dear Doc Sana,
Apropos to my previous thoughts on ECT you might find the following article of interest as I also point out to you that I have at one time or another collaborated with any number of these researchers:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/804736
Sincerely,
Herb
Joyce and Herbert Stein
1008 Trailmore Lane
Weston, FL 33326-2816
(954) 349-8733
vnsdepression@gmail.com
http://www.vnstherapy-herb.blogspot.com
http://www.vnstherapy.wordpress.com
thanks herb. i liked this article.
Think it’s very good and interesting hearing different stories about the treatment. There are downsides to the majority of treatments so I think it’s down to each individual. Having spoken to patients who tried everything else and seemed happy with this treatment I think it would be unfair for me to have an agenda about it. I assume those that have chosen it have given it a lot of consideration.
Thank you! i’m so happy to hear from you. not enough speak out about this miracle of a treatment maybe because of the fear of being attacked back for it. keep on.
Really glad you think so