Posted by rvanson on April 24, 2007, at 20:51:24
In reply to Has ECT stopped anyone from being able to work?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 24, 2007, at 6:40:16
> I'm still depressed on Lexapro, very little motivation, enthusiasm or inclination to talk to anyone and I am still experiencing anxiety.
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> I realise that I might be deluding myself about ECT, afterall if meds aren't working then why should ECT but I would really like to give it a try. God most normal people would really like to go on a holiday, really like to buy a new car. Here's me with one ambition left and that's to try ECT.
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> I was wondering if anyone had ECT on this board and were unable to work again afterwards?
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> At least I am sort of functioning still and I know that work provides some sort of distraction so don't want to jeapardise my chances of working again if I did try it not that my psychiatrist will let me right now.
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>
> Thanks..........Denise
Hi Denise,I really would use ECT as a last resort for many reasons. I have suffered from major adhedonic depression, anxiety and crippling social phobia since my early 20's and I have never tried ECT for these reasons, that I have studied for many years in search of a cure:
1. ECT often does work but only for a year or less.
Only in a few cases does it last for a long time without retreatment. Thus it is much like the A/D drugs only worse, since they dont effect long term memory in most cases.
2. With ECT the lack of concentration and forgetfulness of past events rarely goes away completely,leaving you in a disabled state and
possibly unable to work or live a normal life again (I know that you feel *very* unwell right now, so understand that I am giving you this advice with that in mind).Remember, I am nor a medical doctor or a medical professional of any sort, but I have studied many medical and medical historical books on the subject of mental illnesses and I want you to know that up front.
You need help and you need it now, not later, IMO. I am just not convinced that ECT is the way to go, except in the short term.
The only thing I can suggest at this point, assuming that you have tried the usual list of A/D medications is an aytipical medication like a MAOI (Nardil or Parnate),lithium or a pro-dopamine medication of some kind possibly an ampetamine-type medication.
Please let us know how you are doing and write back here, OK?
poster:rvanson
thread:752965
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070419/msgs/753126.html