What Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is like
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2019
- In this video, I talk about what electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is like and about my experience with it.
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This lady is very strong to make this video.
For those saying it's sickening and barbaric... imagine a person willing to do this as opposed to commit suicide. That's how desperate the situation becomes for people with depression
You say that but its not proven how ECT works and its not generally advised.
@@flimcomedy7667 Also, people's brains are permanently injured this way.
They are literally destroying a person's identity.
You miss the entire point.
@@r.c.whitaker296 No, they're not destroying a persons identity. But being depressed can feel like losing you're own identity. I work as a nurse in an ECT facility in Denmark. It's true that some have problems with their short term memory for at shorter period but that's usually the ONLY side effect from this treatment. Studies show that about 80 % of patients benefit from ECT.
@@flimcomedy7667 It's true that it's not proven to every detail how it works. But so goes for a lot of medicine that are used much more commonly. But the effect of ECT can be fantastic for some patients who after only few treatments get a lot better.
ECT saved my life. For those commenting that've never lived with depression/suicidal tendencies and decades of med combinations that didn't work then you'll never understand what a day in our life feels like. After ECT treatments for the 1st time I felt happy, I'd never experienced a 'normal' day in my life. After my days started turning around for the better I wanted to scream what ECT was to the world. When you feel like there is no hope and no happiness, then you find something that turns it all around I would do it again in a second! I am very open and supportive to mental health awareness and now know there are happy days ahead! In my 40's and finally excited about life.
Truth of ECT czcams.com/video/_6jxhMEbFIA/video.html
Dr. Bennett Omalu who diagnosed CTE in the NFL players is now saying same outcomes anticipated in ECT patients given the repeated brain injuries from electrical trauma. See sites ectjustice.com and site Life after ECT. Long term outcomes as well can include ALS. Increase in suicide following ECT. No FDA testing for safety or effectiveness. Billions involved in these cover ups for decades.
Yes the first 3 times you feel happy ( that's what has been told to me) because you have no memory of it... but by 4,5,6,7 my husband said I was crying all the time and was doing as bad as when I had started. Even my doctor said that I needed to stop because it was not working. Now I'm left with no memory of the last two years. And making new ones is very hard to keep...just be careful
I suffer with depression and major anxiety. It’s to the point where death doesn’t seem so scary anymore and more like a possible relief ( but I dont want to harm myself). This treatment was recommended to me, I want to feel relief like you, but I am so afraid. I am happy for you, some won’t understand, if only we could walk in the shoes of others.
I am very happy you are feeling better, however given that electrical trauma evolves years out you are at risk of developing CTE and ALS. You can develop cardiac and respiratory issues as all systems impacted by this. Many do not realize the full damages as the TBI now proved in the CA courts causes what is known as anosognosia which is failure to recognize the severity of incurred damages. There is a period of euphoria that is common in TBI as well. I wish you well certainly, but if down the road you have issues and want to pursue suit there is a national suit taking place around devices currently. There is also a new class action taking place in England. See you tube videos listed under heading of ectjustice to learn about various aspects around this greatly increased practice that generates 5 billion annually in US alone.
How many treatments did you receive?
ECT saved my life. I did have short term memory loss but it was totally worth. It kept me alive for 2 years when we couldn't find any medication that would work
@@usamarafieck1715 Major depression: severe, reoccurrent and Anxiety: generalized, obsessive compulsive
How many treatments did you have?
You kept you alive. Not ect. The mental health field will eventually be discredited
@@nicondo7373 Although ECT was voluntary I was hospitalized involuntarily and attempted suicide multiple times. I definitely wasn't me keeping me alive. If I had had my way back then I'd be dead. Those workers in the hospital I was in were some of the most kind and compassionate people I've ever met. There are bad apples, but most of them just really want to help people
@@tanyakayy 3 full rounds (12 total, 3 a week for 4 weeks) and maintenance ect (every 2 weeks to every 4 weeks) over a period of about 2 years
Session four of ECT and no more voices and Hallucinations
good for you! hope it's been well since you commented
i want to try now :0
That's amazing...
Dr. Bennet Omalu famous for diagnosing CTE in the NFL is saying similar outcomes anticipated in ECT given repeated brain injuries from electrical trauma. You are also at long term risk for cardiac issues, cataracts, thyroid/adrenal issues, and ALS if you continue. You are being given a TBI with each and every procedure. You do not even recognize harm secondary to this. Law suits taking place on national level now around devices. Contact DK law group in CA. See ectjustice site and site called Life After ECT.
So happy for you! I start in a couple of days. Seeing your comment helps me feel more confident in getting it done. Hope to no longer hear voices.
Real heroes don’t wear capes.
So impressed with your courage, honesty and helping others. Knowledge Is Power
Beautiful words, she’s definitely my hero…hoping all is well
ECT caused me to lose long term memory, and left me with medical ptsd. It didnt work either becuase i was misdiagnosed with bipolar and they were treating that when i really had autism. Ect ruined my life. I know its life saving for many, but a small amount of people are left with life long complications.
Carrie Beckwith-Fellows thankyou for sharing
Howdy... Am really sorry for the medical error that was committed in your case.
If it makes you feel any better. Try imagining that this life isn’t all there is. This really helps me when I think my life is basically been screwed over forever due to schizophrenia. Jesus Christ especially gives me peace. Of which He is the ruler of! 😋
Brian Cooley my faith is what keeps me going.
@@briancooley8777 I can't say I understand your struggles with schizophrenia, but I have aspergers syndrome, and my long term partner has Bipolar disorder, type 2 which causes more mania rather than depression... we both have different episodes of different kinds and severity as we have 2 very different mental health conditions, but I feel you when you say your brain is screwed for life, I feel the same and so does my partner, but it's all we've ever known as we were born with it! Life is what it is man, it sucks sometimes but I'm also happy to be different if that makes sense??
Oh yes, the experience sure does vary. I just got my last zap on Monday (5 total this time) after a year-long depressive episode during which I hardly left my bedroom. I felt fantastic after my first treatment, that same day, and I kept feeling better and better to the point that I was worried about mania. (I wasn't manic.) The docs at the hospital said some patients just respond that quickly. (That's also why they recommended stopping after 5 treatments. My results were more than satisfactory after 5.) Here's my experience:
In my hospital, patients were isolated in the clinical areas. I was surrounded by MD's and nurses who talked a lot to each other, each in turn reciting the treatment they were about to perform on me. The anesthesiologist made one final check before injecting the knockout drug. There was always someone paying attention to me and my personal needs, nothing else.
Waking up SUCKED! I was extremely disoriented and anxious. Sometimes it felt difficult to breathe, but that was probably my anxiety. The disorientation cleared up within 15-30 minutes of my first awareness that I was awake. (It's difficult to tell time just then.) I can remember asking repeatedly nearly every time if we were done already. As soon as I could get back into the wheelchair, they brought me back upstairs to the (inpatient) unit and put my breakfast in front of me. To my constant amazement, I was hungry and never sick. About an hour later, I felt positively giddy! The hospital psychiatrists assured me it wasn't mania. (I have never beer manic.) It was my brain having forgotten how it felt not to be depressed.
The waking up experience never got any easier for me. In fact, it led to fits of anxiety the night before, and also when they wheeled me into the room. I was comfortable telling this whole room of psych nurses and hospitalists that I felt scared. I guess that's not unusual. One nurse offered to hold my hand. She told me she had held many hands before. I decided to be a brave boy though. In the big picture, this anxiety paled in comparison to my mood finally lifting.
The soreness in the body is not from the seizure. The only thing that moves is the right foot. That soreness is from the muscles stretching as they are hyper-relaxed by the paralytic drug. Normally there is enough muscle tone to prevent that degree of relaxation. With the drug they use, the muscles sag so much they stretch. I felt those aches mostly the day after.
Something a little embarrassing that I haven't read about or heard anyone talk about is... well, I wet myself the first time. I completely and carefully voided every time, less than five minutes before lights-out, but it still happened - the first time only. They told me about it because I was in scrubs when I woke up and my clothes were in the wash. (The nursing staff was really nice about it.)
This is the only advice I will give in this post: Weigh your possible embarrassment about wearing an adult pull-up (provided by the hospital for my 2nd treatment on) against your possible embarrassment about waking up after having wet yourself.
I would never try to persuade anyone to have ECT because it's a pretty drastic step and a very personal decision, but I do want to put my story out there. It worked very well for me, and I hope I don't wait so long before bringing it up with my doc again.
Beena Plumber thank you so much for sharing
What an amazing story of your experience! It was very kind of you to take the time to share. Wishing you the best!
I was in a similar situation had six done two in hospital then the rest out patient. I too the first time wet myself, so don't feel bad. But to this day still having tons of short term memory loss and the months leading up to some memory loss to bad it doesn't get rid of the memories of the the abuse and traumas that I went through that gave me the PTSD and I'm sure a lot responsible for my depression and anxiety I'm sure not the bipolar though but I do regret getting it I did the why were they put them on both sides I can't remember what it's called and every time of course they increased energy to get better seizure. I did never have a headache afterwards or my body felt sore or anything else but I still can't drive because I still cannot maintain the memories of the rules of driving and I also have forgotten complete people from my life tell my husband has to tell me about them show me pictures of them and the memory just never comes back I just figured they must not have been that important to me though that's so sad because that was never who I was before I never forgot a face I never forgot anything now I'm a different person altogether but not a person I want to be so that makes me more depressed. I'm glad you had such a great experience with it. I know that there are people out there that have had such great responses and I'm so happy for all of them it's just something I wouldn't have done it again.
@@lauraknighten9964 Stay strong!
@@lauraknighten9964 Did you have bilateral ect? Memory loss to that degree is not normal, certainly not for unilateral (one-sided) ect. I had bilateral ect once, and my memory was an absolute mess, but unilateral ect hardly affected my memory at all, and it really worked well. But there are conditions that respond better to bilateral ect, so that's between you & your doc.
ECT brought my brother out of a profound untreatable depression. He tried every med known to science. They failed. ECT has kept him normal and off meds for 1 year. Yes there is some minor memory loss but way preferable to being unable to leave bed.
"Normal"?
@@TheSapphireLeo as someone dealing with depression I don't think it's offensive to imply that being depressed is abnormal. You're seeing an insult where there is none.
@@aday4evras someone dealing with depression i don't find it insulting at all. I don't think its normal to not be able to get out of bed and think of killing yourself all day. I am not normal.
Thank you for taking the time to share that positive experience with us. It gives me hope!
Your videos are SO good and so important. I love how even-keeled you are about this and other treatments, saying, "This didn't work for me, but it does help some people..." It's a much more intelligent approach than bashing and blaming. You talk about your experiences and the people in them (including yourself) in a logical and respectful way. It's very powerful.
go get a lobotomy from the idiot, illiterate doctors, and comment again. if you are still alive from the '''''''''''''''''""'"""""""treatment'''''''''''''''''''''''',,,,,''''''''.
@surfer300ZX unfortunately, the psychotic retards that form the colossal percentage of the psychowhatever therapy society, want the victims to lose every personal logic and blindly trust and repeat the psycho-trends of the era. So even without using dark age medicine, lobotomies or shocks (to fill their Doctor's Degree Study) they really want your Soul dead, as this death is the base of their cure. This is very evident to all people that systematically follow psychotherapy of any kind. It is maybe easier to isolate a psychotherapy addict than a heroin addict.
Yes, we actually have a science(?) that supposingly cares about the soul, starting by killing the soul..
I would normally say that is sad.
But since i do not take medicine or permit illogical experiments on my mind and body, which keeps my soul senses and expression intact, may i proudly and thoughtfuly say:
Rott in your Phychic Hell, scientists of nothing.
@@constantinosschinas4503 HELL YEs!!!@ thank you for speaking your truths
@surfer300ZX she said no such thing about it being negative.
ECT also saved my life. For me, it caused temporary memory loss as well as something I call "people déjà vu", where it's as if you recognize a person you've never met before. I've had major depression since I was a little kid and after 12 treatments, I no longer have it. It's an intense treatment and success varies from individual to individual, but I no longer feel depressed. I think it's particularly effective in taking suicidal thoughts away. After the second treatment, those thoughts have not entered my mind since. It's a profound experience, after 42 years, to live without depression. I still can't believe it's gone.
Wow, you’ve been doing ECT for 42 years then! And Very little complications with memory.
@@thepudge6953 No, just for about a year
What way are you now?
@@Slidehhy I still get what are called "maintenance" ECT, so I still receive the treatment but at larger periods apart, eg. once a month, ect... While I'm not thrilled with the therapy, I do remember a time when I so desperate to get rid of my depression that I would literally try anything. I have had significant reduction of my symptoms but remember, nothing works perfectly. Either way, your psychiatrist will work to develop a treatment that benefits you. And my depression can and has returned so you have to keep an eye on your feelings.
@@charlesberkowitz2803 So do you now feel joy and happiness in the little things?
I struggle with anxiety and depression I wanna feel life
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was clearly very difficult for you to talk about and I wish I could give you a comfort. Thank you.
I’ve been having ECT every week for two years now. I have schizoaffective disorder, too. It has helped me.
Have you had memory loss Honey? I have some memories that really caused me trauma 1 year and 7 months ago...and I have been praying about it... I feel better Is like that really Is stuck in my mind that never leaves me...Is something a Little difficult to explain ..but Is like my mind stays in that point of my life and I have improved but not as I would like
That really hurts me
God bless you Honey i want everything Is going okay in Your life
Dsyna Schwartz...did you heal from sczophernia?
:/ ?
Why are they doing multiple people at once, i feel like thats so wrong and unnecessary :( each person should have their own private experience being treated, not a group setting :(
Thank you for sharing your experience. It means a lot
This is common. I had the same experience at a different ECT facility. Lots of people need the treatment, and it would cost too much money to have your own private treatment. It's really not so bad. Waiting sucks, but it makes sense if 20 other people need it, why not do it all at once.
CP I'm sure that nobody is directly watching other peoples experience, but they can hear some of the sounds a patient is experiencing, which surely, is very difficult. More to your point, why not simply have a treatment room that is much more sound resistant?
Canadian health care system. You do not want socialized medicine.
Predator sociopaths LOVE abusive capitalism, especially when it stinKKKs.
Hi Lauten, I'm not a patient but I'm a doctor (not psychiatrist). First of all, I'd like to do my congratulations to you for opening your heart to everybody intereated in Medicine, for your Courage and for your honesty. Doing that you help the doctors too in understanding all the aspects of depression, not just the patients. Your clinical story is very precious for everybody. I'm sorry that ECT didn't work for you. I hope other therapies will help you as soon as possible. Thank you endless for your Courage. You're a great example for everybody. Thousand thumbs up.
How does it work?
I am fascinated. Most treatments target SSRIs or Dopamine, but the AEDs also have effects on electricity. Why would both an induced seizure, and anti epilepsy drugs work?
@@aethelwolfe3539 it's not completely known how it works but it changes neurotransmittion of all neurotransmitters in brain that for some time. It becomes more 'healthy' and person usually feels better after it. For antiepileptics, they are used as sedation in some cases and also for bipolar disorder because they are stopping hyper excitement of neurons so they can't cause change of moods.
you’re absolutely incredible and it’s extremely amazing that you can talk this openly about the “scarier” mental health issues. i know personally it has changed my perception, so thank you for helping me open my mind to these topics.
ECT treatment has saved my life. I'm bipolar, and suffered from debilitating depressions for years. No meds worked (tried over 20), and had been admitted to hospital several times. But ECT made all the difference, I needed 6 treatments before noticing a differens and had 12 in all (inpatient. I've been an outpatient for over three years now having ECT every 2-4 weeks and I'm more stable than I've ever been. It does affect my short and long term memory, but it's worth it. I'm so glad you made this video, so that people may realise it's not as barbaric as they believe.
So how long do the effects last before they ware off
Did it help with anxiety as well?
Truth of ECT czcams.com/video/_6jxhMEbFIA/video.html
Dr. Bennett Omalu who diagnosed CTE in the NFL players is now saying same outcomes anticipated in ECT patients given the repeated brain injuries from electrical trauma. See sites ectjustice.com and site Life after ECT. Long term outcomes as well can include ALS. Increase in suicide following ECT. No FDA testing for safety or effectiveness. Billions involved in these cover ups for decades. If you have had ECT contact the DK law group in CA to see if you can join the current national product liability suit taking place around the untested devices that deliver up to 450 volts and greater to the brain. Once you have researched this please go on public social media and let others know what is taking place as this practice has greatly increased and patients are lied to of the harm from this.
Were you type 1 or 2?
It's time for a Q and A video.
I'm very greatful you can share this. You have honestly kept me from doing something stupid. I am very greatful for your courage
Ty for your strength and information on ECT. I'm so sorry you were unable to gain relief from your condition. You are an inspiration! Praying you find the treatment you need!
Wow! Look at you and how well your doing! I saw your first video and some there after and your smile has gotten much bigger and brighter! Your an inspiration to me!
Much respect. My fraternal grandmother was institutionalized and as a young person it was traumatic to visit her in an overcrowded state hospital. My own mental health is not well and my anxiety and depression scares me to this day. I pray it does not worsen. Thank you for sharing your experience and please stay awesome.
My mother had ECT during the 1960s but the treatment made her more violent and unstable.She was never the same again.
Did it improve over time?
Yes it causes brain damage
God bless you and be with you. It's very hard to have a parent with mental illness and shock treatments. My dad had them
Thank you for speaking your truths!!!!
I am sorry to hear about this, but for a fact I do know that back in the 1950s they didn't use anesthetics and anti-depressants which is a muscle relaxant which usually helps schizophrenic patients a lot, and the drug used was called antipsychotic which had a lot of side effects but after the medical advancement a new drug was introduced which was more effective and had less side effects (Atypical antipsychotics), since such drugs are far more worse than ECT, this treatment is the only available which helps individuals with schizophrenia a lot, however, I ask you not to lose hope of such treatment. Thank you
You are incredibly strong ad brave for making these videos and educating everyone on mental health by sharing your experiences!! thank you so much!!!!!
What a lovely, articulate young lady you are. Thank you for this video and I wish you all the best in your healing journey.
For me I think your channel is the only channel on CZcams that is giving me some better insight on these things and I recently took the Schizophrenia Test and it’s the same one you tried. I found that one to be really helpful and I will be seeing a doctor about the signs I’ve been experiencing.
my own outpatient ect experience mirrors yours. thank you for trying to help others by sharing. you are a brave soul.
Thankyou for your honesty and sharing your experience. I wish you all the very best.
Thanks for your videos! You give a real warning of lingering side-effects based on your personal experience but acknowledging it helps plenty of people and not condemning it. Awareness rather than stigma and fear.
I had ECT about 3 years ago. I received 20 bilateral and then 20 unilateral treatments. My short term memory during that time was completely gone. I couldn’t hold a conversation, I couldn’t remember words, how to spell, etc. I felt mentally disabled. When receiving treatment there were days where I felt like I was getting better but overall I didn’t. 6 months after stopping treatment, I started returning to normal and slowly my memory was getting better. However the 2 ½ years before receiving treatment I have no memory of. I still have short term memory problems but I don’t regret treatment. I think it helped but I wish I never had so many rounds for being such a young person at the time (17)
Marissa Noonan bless you.. you were very young getting it... 💕
U recommend to do ect or not?
You're extremely brave for sharing your experience! thank you for your insight.
Marissa, starting off with 20 bilateral treatments sounds a bit extreme, especially for someone so young. I'm so glad it helped enough to be worth it! In the end, that's the only calculation that matters - do the benefits outweigh the adverse reactions? In your case, given what you wrote (that you don't regret it), they did. I'm glad of that!
You know I've thought of this but I actually wish I had done it when I was younger as there was some past experiences I felt if I could forget I would've been more fubctional. I'm scared to this later in life though. Thanks for sharing.
I think that everyone should watch your videos. You give such clear information in a very personable way which I think would resonate with many people and help to reduce stigma and misunderstandings around mental health
Thats why she is on here to help educate people
I went thru 16 sessions....we are very lucky to have the right people around us to lead us thru all this things...I was in house for a month..but it saved me......I was completely in my hallucinations...living in hell..and thanks to the treatment I now live my life and not the life of my hallucinations...great content your videos...
Just found your channel. I think we are about the same age, and it's so nice to hear a perspective on mental illness from someone similar to me. I have bipolar disorder, and during a time of trying many different medications, and having none of them work, my psychiatrist began to talk to me about ECT. I didn't end up getting it, because at the same time I was prescribed a medication that started to help. It's not off the table for me in the future, and videos like yours make me feel more comfortable with the idea should the time come that I need that treatment. I am also so so sorry for the way they did the treatment as a group, which seems awful to have to go through. My heart goes out to you on that one. I know how hard it is to make sacrifices like that in order to seek relief.
I've had several ECT treatments twice. I hated it. I hated the idea. And I have a huge fear of anesthesia. The whole thing was miserable. The nurses were very nice. But they asked me every time before I went under "do you know if this is uni lateral or bi lateral treatment?" I always said I don't know. I wish I never had it. My memory can be bad. Where you had it sounded maybe less professional. You shouldn't been able to hear the people in front of you. Thanks for the upload.
How do you feel now? I hope you are OK.
Truth of ECT czcams.com/video/_6jxhMEbFIA/video.html
Dr. Bennett Omalu who diagnosed CTE in the NFL players is now saying same outcomes anticipated in ECT patients given the repeated brain injuries from electrical trauma. See sites ectjustice.com and site Life after ECT. Long term outcomes as well can include ALS. Increase in suicide following ECT. No FDA testing for safety or effectiveness. Billions involved in these cover ups for decades.
I had it done A year ago and I still pee the bead I, did 6 session bilateral and my husband had to put a stop to it! My Neurologis was also very surprised that I made the decision before taking to him. He told my husband and I that if we had of quit by that time he was going to have a serious talk with us... and just an update I'm actually still processing to get worse...
@@lauraknighten9964 if interested contact the DK law group in CA to see about joining current national device suit around ECT devices. Class action now also taking place in England. See if your neurologist will enter you into TBI program if you want. See you tube videos under heading of ectjustice.
I heard the people doing my ECT and awoke before the paralytic wore off. I don't think there were any bad consequences for this. I was also scared and only had two treatments because the immediate aftermath felt pretty bad.
Thank you for sharing and for being so strong. ECT can be a life saver. So glad you are better.
You are amazing. Its great that you are doing this videos sharing your expeience and trying to help other understand and get help. This is awesome. I find it amazing that you take time to explain and help people truly understand about mental health. This is really important. Thank you. I hope you see this.
Thank you for shedding light on this subject- it isn't often talked about and can be really scary for some!
A friend of mine has just started ECT treatment for her bipolar disorder and I found your video very helpful. We’re not close (she spoke openly about this in her social media) but I wanted to be aware of what modern ECT entails and how it is experienced so I wouldn’t accidentally make her uncomfortable with questions that she may find triggering atm. I want to be supportive and watching your video allows me to remain respectful to her and get more insight into the procedure
Thank-you sooooo much for your honest and strength it took to come out and share your awareness with us I know years ago ECT was so barbaric and you my dear girl have taught us a lot in this video as to how it has been humanized mor. God Bless You.
Thank you so much for sharing Lauren, it's really appreciated. I'm watching this as a future psychologist because these topics really interest me, but I also want to be informed in case I have a patient with similar experiences when I start doing therapy. Your channel is a valuable source of information and I appreciate how clear and concise you are.
I've been off bipolar meds now for about four and a half months I feel like my brain is so shot I'm beyond Ect I feel brain dead
Thank you for sharing something so traumatic with everyone. Regardless of its potential efficacy, ECT should never be used as a threat to coerce someone to submit to treatment. It is easy to understand, between all the medication and threats of electrocution, why someone would feel their mind is being controlled. Wishing everyone going through this much love and empathy.
It saved my life. 3 weeks of it. Nothing else works for me when I’m severely depressed and soiling the bed etc. I’m a mid 40’s highly educated and thriving and giving back to society but then? The “black dog” would hound me. I too was at the end of the row which at 18 years old scared me so much but? It worked . Thanks for being someone that others will listen to. I’d have both sides. Afterwards? I’d wake with a jaw ache and a mild headache in the back of my head but other than that? I felt amazing mood wise.
Where did you get this ECT therpy? Can you give the address?
Blade Hell , between Australia and Antarctica
@@Smashingit2022 ???
Blade Hell in Launceston Tasmania or Royal Hobart Hospital. Both our public hospitals do it if required
So happy for you!
I gotta say, after being told ECT was the best course of treatment for my treatment resistant MDD i was scared to death. This is the first video i have watched where someone has actually outlined what the process is like and while im not totally convinced this is given me a little bit more to think about so thank you. You are so brave to put your struggles and life with mental illness out online. You help a ton of people im sure and i will be watching your videos from now on.
Thank you very much for putting together this helpful video!
Great job! I am considering this treatment for my depression/mania. I don't know if that works or not though... I am proud of y'all brave enough to share. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I love your videos
Thank you for sharing your experience! May you recover and feel well as musch as possible.
I'm a nursing student interested in Psych. I also suffer from mental health issues.Thank you for sharing your story and being open about your mental health struggles!
@TheHeyDood I'm a new grad nurse working in psych with my own mental health history. Did you graduate and go into psych nursing?
I commend you so much for sharing your story. I’m a 24 year old male and when I was 17 I also did ECT at Ohio States hospital. I also did 12 rounds and it wasn’t my favorite experience. I now work in the mental health field as a peer support and I just want to say thank you for being brave and talking about the hard roads others don’t understand!
did you take it for depression
Thank you for sharing your experience.
ECT was never like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," even though it has indeed improved. It is really good to see that ECT is now an outpatient procedure. It does help a lot of people.
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your time. You are brave and strong.
ECT has left me unable to read and write. An intense headache and motion sickness 24/7 for 4 years. No longer able to drive. Pulsing eyes and two forms of tinnitus. Droopy face, and dissociation and loud tinnitus. No memory of family/school and my upbringing.
Still depressed and with catastrophic thinking.
Otherwise it's fantastic!!!
I believe I may have commented before, but I had just been speaking to a friend who was appalled that I had had several rounds of ECT. I am a person living with schizoaffective disorder (of the depressive type) and the stigma of “shock therapy” exists to this day. More than a few times, ECT has saved my life. My depression lifted and so did my hallucinations and delusions. Not immediately with one treatment, but I wish people would recognize that ECT is not a “torturous, antiquated treatment akin to lobotomy.” Yes there are side effects, just as with any treatment of any illness, but I still contend that the side effects of my ECT were much shorter in length and different from the common side effects of my psych meds. Don’t be afraid. It can really help some. ❤️
Thank You for sharing..
Blessings..
Thank you for this insightful video. You’ve helped me understand the process much better. And well done on delivering this message: you’re a very good speaker.
Lauren, thank you for sharing your experiences. You are brave.
I'm sure you are helping lots of people in your sharing of your experiences of this treatment that most of us do not understand well. Good for you, and good health and happiness to you.
:-)
for those who say it's barbaric, do your research. i was a student nurse and witnessed this treatment, it's well organized. they are sedated before the currents are applied. there's very mild convulsion but it's very short tem. i've seen how for some patients, it worked well
You are such a beautiful & courageous woman!I love your videos!Thank you immensely!I wish you healing😘
Thank you for being so brave and positive in your spirit despite your terrifying experience with ECT. My brother has been admitted into psych ward for just under 3 months and was diagnosed with psychosis. ( hearing voices and hullucination). He has not been doing so well especially since he was out on the new medications 2 weeks ago, since attempted self harm. The doctor has since suggested ECT.
I feel very upset, sadden and helpless, only things I can do is to prayers and learning from other people experiences.
I really appreciate this video which sheds some light into the darkness of mental health. It’s a profoundly deep and fearful like the ocean.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! My therapist recommended it to me today and I’ve just been researching. This was very helpful. I’m sorry it wasn’t effective for you but I wish you the absolute best in your journey
I came across your comment today and was wondering how you are doing. Did you decide to try ect and was it effective? I wish you well
I love your content! Thanks for sharing
Your videos are helpful. Many thanks and blessings.
That was an amazing video. Thank you for educating us.
You are so brave. This is so scary to hear your account. (My paternal grandmother was given ECT treatments 'back in the day') (I struggle with schizophrenia and have had one suicide attempt). -Sending much love to you
My mother underwent 16 treatments between 1965-1968 against her will. Her only crime was being married to a man who wanted another woman. Her only “illness” was depression from her experiencing this kind of rejection after the birth of her fourth child with postpartum depression who was ripped from her side shortly after his birth. My mother was a brilliant woman prior to this. Calm cool collect. The ECT forever changed her mentation and ability to engage in normal conversations. Her parents drove to Tx where she was being held, from Va where she was raised. They got her out and took my dad to court and won custody of her and all of her four children which includes me. They took us home to Va the state of her birth and there we grew up and eventually went out separate ways to young adults. I have a video from Dr Peter Breggin who is a psychiatrist who speaks out on the brain damage that occurs from undergoing ECT. My mother was never the same after ECT. I’m happy your alright other than short term memory difficulties. . I’ll share the video. And many blessings, and thank you for sharing your experience. czcams.com/video/QOtacCftvcs/video.html
I just scheduled an assessment. First time I've felt any hope in a long time.
Lauren you look so smart an calm i cant believe you went through this🙏
Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such an open and easy to understand manner.
Love the video. I saw it when considering ECT. I also had zero other options. I also did 12 treatments with no effect; I continued doing them, and after 14 I got a glimpse of relief; after 2 more (16), the depression that I swore would never leave, was gone completely. I am now tapering off, which is going to once/week, once every other week, once after 3 weeks, once/month if needed. Also, for me, only the first treatment made me sore; the second one they added an anti-inflammatory.
It took me a bit longer, but it saved my life, when all other treatments didn't. My doc also told me the ECT treats depression, and depression from bipolar, and mania.
Like she said, there is no pain other than some aches and a headache now and then (for me); compared to being entrenched in suicidal depression, this is nothing.
If you're concerned about having a seizure, like she said, you're under anesthesia the whole time, so, technically I could say I've never actually experienced a seizure at all.
Thanks for sharing this my friend. I wish you great life and a lot of strength to fight mental illness.
Thank you for such an objective view of something you've personally experienced. It's helping me with my decision making.
Very informative. Well presented as usual. Thanks for your ministry!
I never knew about Electroconsvulsive therapy. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
thank you for making your video. i am currently undergoing ect treatments. i had 12 initially, but i wasn't really that much better, so now i'm having 'maintenance' treatments once a week. i am experiencing short term memory loss, but it has gotten a little better since they went from doing both sides of my head down to just my right side. they said that it will come back in about three weeks after the treatments end, but right now, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. my depression doesn't exactly feel any better, but i am no longer obsessing over suicidal thoughts, so that IS an improvement.
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm fascinated by psychiatry and the brain. If I may say so, you are so brave - both for doing this and for choosing to help others by sharing. Wishing you abundant health and wellness!
Your videos are very informative n I love the way you present your content. I sometimes listen to your videos to help me relax, your voice is very soothing.
I worked at a hospital in their in-patient psych unit, and I have seen ECT perform what I can only call miracles - seriously. Many people's lives were saved by it...
lives were saved but brains and souls were killed by high voltage.
so nice.
I've seen many lives ruined by it. We need to present the public with both sides of the story. on edit: Good video. You are a strong and good person. Best wishes and good health to you!
I guess it works for some and not for others, the same way that most mental health treatment results are. But thank you for coming out and telling your story. It’s most helpful to understand schizo effective disorder from someone who has it
This woman is so very, very kind to share her experience like this. I am inspired and humbled by her. All I knew about ECT therapy prior to this is that it terrified one family member of mine from their experience with it in the 1950's. It may have solidified in their mind their delusions, and that of course was also because they refused to continue treatment in their young adult life. They further refused treatment in the future which would have contributed so much to their wellbeing.
Thank you for making these videos, it helps those of us that struggle with these treatments.
ECT has saved my life, my last session was 8 days ago (at the time of this post)
Thank you for sharing your story. I thought I would add my experience to hopefully help you help others by making the experience a little less scary.
I have level 1 autism, CPTSD and major depression. I got to a point where I was feeling very suicidal. In August this year (2023) I admitted myself voluntarily to a mental health hospital as I needed to make a change or I would not be alive much longer. I was only released 20th October 2023.
I first tried medication changes and 35 sessions of Transcranial magnetic stimulation. I felt some small differences, but unfortunately the change wasn't enough.
After some hesitation I decided I would try ECT. I was lucky as the hospital I did it at only took one person in at a time, so I didn't see or hear others getting treated.
I walked into the operating room, would take my shoes off and climb on the bed. They asked for your shoes to be off as apparently although they gave you muscle relaxants, your toes would move a bit making it easier for them to be sure you had a seizure.
Once on the bed the anesthetist put a needle in my arm, as the nurse held an oxygen mask on my face, as the psychiatrist put dots to monitor my brain activity onto my head.
Less than a minute later the anesthetist let me know he was about to drift me off to sleep. Whilst I was asleep they gave me the muscle relaxant and put the electrodes on my head.
The next thing I would remember was being in the recovery room. I always woke up feeling very confused about what had just happened and the nurses would have to explain to me what had just been done. I woke up feeling nauseous the first time, but I let the anesthetist know and he gave me IV medication to stop it happening.
I know some people recovered really quickly from having ECT, but I honestly would be a bit confused and tired for the entire day. It did also cause some ongoing confusion with the scariest thing being that when I got home I forgot the layout of my own house that I have been living in for 6 years. But apparently confusion is a very common temporary side effect of ECT and it has mostly cleared up for me.
I was really scared to try this treatment, but I am glad that I did as it has been the only thing that has worked to give me some peace from thoughts of suicide. I really was in a bad place to the point where I dissociated whilst in the hospital and was trying to leave to walk in front of a train. I had no control at that moment and was extremely lucky that I had admitted myself to a mental health hospital at that point or I would not be alive right now.
The one thing to keep in mind is that it's common for people to need to go back for "top ups" of ECT as it's effects can wear off over time. I will be honest my psychiatrist is going to try and do top ups with TMS first as that is way gentle a treatment, but if it doesn't work then I will likely need more ECT in the future.
I know this all sounds scary, but please if you are in that bad a place, be open to giving it a try. My life is not now magically perfect, but ECT has significantly increased my mood and has significantly decreased the amount of flashbacks I am having. That means that now I actually have the capacity to start working on my trauma so I can look to move forward in my life.
Good luck everyone with your treatments.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Yes it saved your life, but at the same time it destroyed your personality, your potential your unique abilities. If you are okay living a mediocre life with no purpose do ect.
i was in a psychiatric hospital in the 1970's. several people on my ward had it done. i didn't, they thought i was too young (15) and would have too much memory loss. but older patients who had it felt a lot better for it and said it helped a great deal with their depression. it was harder then though. they didn't knock you out. they'd be scared of it the night before but always felt so much better afterwards. my observations of it's effectiveness are pretty positive
And know your experience is helping others learn, thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you very much for posting this video.
You’re amazing Thanks
I have Akathesia caused by Antiphsychotic drugs, which also caused a blood clot so I'm on Warfarin for life, thanks for your video Happy new year 2020
Do you mean to say your akathisia is permanent?
Very interesting information! Thank you for this :)
I could have looked this up.
Thank You for these videos you do!!❤😊❤
Thank you for sharing your experience
Thank you so much for this video! ECT is an amazing and very safe procedure. It is helping me a lot. I really appreciate your contents and your videos! Keep doing it! ✨
Yes, it was also very good for me, it is very safe and effective, we already know that brain manipulation is very strong but once all brain activity has been restructured and after a few months you are perfect, I would do it again if necessary
@@JOSESANCHEZ-yi7ou thank you Jose… my don Jeff is u dear this ect right no…and I was afraid…
@@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197 did they do it to you or not yet? don't be afraid of it it's a good job for your brain
Thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask what was your diagnosis ?
Have you remember past memories
ECT keeps me alive. It was a last resort. I've had 3 treatments- 6 sessions each. Over the past three years. I do outpatient, go under aneshesia, wake up and go home and take a nap. Do research on doctors and hosptials. Some people have had horrible side effects but there are people like me, that have not and it's saved. Will I eventually lose memories and such things? Yes, Im sure. But I get a chance to live.
God-bless you
did you get unilateral or bilateral ... could you plz mention plz
Thank you for sharing young. God bless you hope you are getting better.🙏🙏
Thank you for your honesty it is appreciated because they have recommended for my daughter. I have been worried about it and the side effects of the treatment you have put my mind at rest.
I’m glad you didn’t have any complications with your course of treatment. I too finally had ECT out of desperation and it didn’t not have any lasting effects for me. I too suffer from short term memory loss but I work on this regularly and this now has improved. Still it continues a problem. Personally in my situation they did not use the same anesthesia as you received and paddled were used instead of electrodes. I had my ECT treatments in 2010. I was given a paralytic and a barbiturate. On 2 occasions this form of anesthesia was insufficient; the first time waking up as I was having my respiratory effort supported purely by ambu bag ventilation and even after knowing this; the next time the paralytic was effective but I was never unconscious from the barbiturate. Unable to speak, move or even open my eyes; it was thought that I was sufficiently anesthetized for the procedure. I laid there awake and aware of everything that was happening and about to happen in pure fear knowing I would be receiving a shock to my head. I do remember the paddle put to my head and felt the initial delivery of the shock before going unconscious. I’m telling this story about my experiences which btw my treatments were ended after this event; because I feel that it’s important to understand that there’s some serious hospital misconceptions about providing ECT. If I were to do that over again; I would have researched hospitals and doctors; since I later found out from a second opinion at Emory Hospital that the anesthesiologists should be experienced with ECT anesthesia and the patient should have the same anesthesiologist each treatment; I also was informed that after the initial 12 treatments ECT is most effective with once a month treatments ongoing. After the ECT was unsuccessful I sought out this second opinion and was placed on an MAOI which is quite effective; however I didn’t get back into balance until the drug Saphris came out around 2014. This medication was a game changer for me and why I mention it. The side effects less harmful to me; but I had such vivid dreams that working on this in therapy very very slowly; unraveled so much garbage I had stuffed into my subconscious for so many years and had no idea how working through it would give me a greater understanding of how I got this way and steps back into my form of normalcy. I’m always going to be on medication and always going to have to “ check myself “ for imbalances on a regular basis as the signs are subtle at first.
I do feel that ECT is a safe procedure and for me it bought me more time and that was my positive; since my time was running out in my severe depressive state. I feel for some it is effective and the answer ; but if you have tried all the front line; second line treatments and you are running out of time; then you might seriously consider the option because it will buy you time until the right answer for you appears and hold on through those moments because it will come! I appreciate you for making this video and sharing your story as I feel that you covered it so well; plus creating a place that I could share my story and maybe if enough of us did; there would be fewer moments to struggle through to see the next day. I feel sad for those who don’t make it through the moment but I understand why it happens. Buy the time through the moment is my best advice.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it's helpful to hear from others experiences.
Truth of ECT czcams.com/video/_6jxhMEbFIA/video.html
Dr. Bennett Omalu who diagnosed CTE in the NFL players is now saying same outcomes anticipated in ECT patients given the repeated brain injuries from electrical trauma. See sites ectjustice.com and site Life after ECT. Long term outcomes as well can include ALS. Increase in suicide following ECT. No FDA testing for safety or effectiveness. Billions involved in these cover ups for decades. If you have had ECT contact the DK law group in CA to see if you can join the current national product liability suit taking place around the untested devices that deliver up to 450 volts and greater to the brain.
Thank you for making this video ect scares me. But your video has helped me realize it might be a last ditch effort if I ever get any worse with my disorder.
It is actually considered one of the most effective treatments for severe depression. It is generally used after medication has failed because it is more extreme, but it isn't really a last ditch.
@@berf9445 right I never knew anything about it till this video. For me it would be a last resort.
You are very brave to do this and very frank to admit this treatment didn't seem to work for you. I've received this treatment quite a few times and it seems to have worked for me . The first time was fifty six years ago and the treatment was exactly as you described for your first experience - a bit apprehensive as you could hear but not see other patients. The last time was forty years ago and then we were just administered a combined relaxant & anaesthetic. It seems they've now gone back to the original method. Although I've had a couple of relapses, I've not had to have ECT since then; just medication and talking therapy. As you say one is naturally anxious the first time and slightly confused memory- wise afterwards and also, as you say, you won't remember the actual procedure itself. You are young,confident and very caring to share your experience and put others going to receive treatment at ease. Your presentation is excellent and I wish you all the very best in the future. Keep up the good work young lady. You're doing a great job helping others.
Thank you for the videos.
I didn't know very much about ECT. This was veryy informative and helped me understand it better. Thank you
I had 6 out of a 12 proposed ECT treatments as an inpatient when I was 20 years old where my doctor was the head doctor of the psychiatry ward. I improved enough after 6 treatments not to need the rest. I guess they put us all out (about 8 patients) with sodium pentothal first because I never heard anyone else getting shocked or remember getting a muscle relaxant. We counted backwards from 99 and I never got past 96 as I felt the sodium pentothal that rose like swimming pool chlorine sort of filling my nostrils and numbing me out. I LOVED the after-effects when I woke up. There was a halo around everything including people and my eyesight was all blurry. I always thought I was in heaven and as we were led to the cafeteria for a late breakfast (ECT had to be done on an empty stomach) I glided up to the big silver carts holding the serving trays and began trying to hand them out; because previously I had worked in a hospital kitchen and thought I was in heaven to serve. When the glorious angels in white (nurses) seated me at the table I was enthralled "I am going to be served at the tables of God myself???" The one table that had the old men at it seemed to be the table of the Last Supper to me. As I slowly ate the heavenly food I came to realize that I was indeed in the ward cafeteria and just eating regular hospital breakfast food. Eventually the glow around everything calmed down and disappeared and I realized "wow I am back on earth!"
Sounds like taking heroin
You are a brave lady. God bless you.
Thank you for sharing this!