Posted by Cam W. on February 16, 2001, at 18:11:31
In reply to Re: Is electroshock therapy a viable alternative?? » Cam W., posted by JahL on February 16, 2001, at 17:33:25
Jah - I work in the community, so my experience with ECT is what I hear from the docs and those who have gone through treatments.
I am not sure that it is good for dysthymia, something tells me it is not as effective, but personally, I don't know. I have heard that it is not more effective than in melancholic depression, than in non-melancholic depression, but overall ECT is the most effective form of therapy for all sub-types of depression, when lumped together (ie more strongly associated with recovery).
Effectiveness of antidepressant treatments (monotherapies) is basically as follows:
ECT > MAOIs > psychotherapy > TCAs > SSRIs > antipsychotics > RIMAs
As for longterm treatment, I know of one lady whose treatments have been ongoing for a few years and then, I can't quantify what she meant by this (ie whether it was on a regular basis after a series or whether she used them for exacerbations).
I'm sorry, but I really have no personal experiences to draw on to answer your questions, so all I know is from what I have read. Perhaps ask your doc his/her opinion on this, because I really can't even make an educated guess on long term ECT treatment. From the literature, it should be effective for chronic major depressive disorder.
FWIW - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:54077
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54183.html