Posted by linkadge on October 4, 2012, at 16:23:46
In reply to Re: Does ect do more harm than good?, posted by Roslynn on October 4, 2012, at 15:48:59
I agree that it does do more harm than good.
The very high relapse rate is something that most dcotors don't factor into the equation (risk / benefit analysis).
Even if it did work in 80% of cases (which I believe the research dose not conclude), an individual is highly likely to relapse within 6-12 months.
Now, not only are they back where they started, their brain is less capable of recovering on its own. Cognitive impairment is something that can ruin an individual's chances of attaining appropriate employment - potentially amplifying depression.
My line of thinking is this......doctors have a whole range of chemical treatments which are not routinely used for depression......opiates, dopamine agonists, stimulants, ketamine, etc.
If your goal is to just get a temporary lift...why not use some of these agents first? At least there is less evidence of permanent brain damage.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:1027584
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20121001/msgs/1027593.html