7 Responses to “Does anyone have any knowledge about shock treatment for depression?”

1. Jerry says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   Did he tell you about the 1 in 50,000 risk of death? Permanent partial memory loss? Most doctors are only taught: "antidepressants, therapy, and if resistant, ECT". IF TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS: I suggest that you check out http://www.drugs.com & http://www.rxlist.com and wean off, in accordance with http://www.theroadback.org/workbook.htm and begin the core treatments below immediately, and the herbal remedies, or OTHER supplements, like SAM-e, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, when below 50% weaning dosage. View http://your-mental-health.weebly.com/b.html St. John’s wort helps most people; tolerance doesn’t develop, and the few side effects don’t occur often, and even then are normally not severe (neither antidepressants, nor the wort, nor supplements should be relied on as a sole treatment). It doesn’t cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 – 6 weeks to become effective, but can sometimes work quicker than antidepressants. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10759336?dopt=Abstract A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as a commonly prescribed antidepressant, in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation.

   Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John’s Wort (I didn’t experience any). A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not SJW, because of interactions, and it’s sensible to check out anything else first, like Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, or supplements, such as SAMe, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, with your doctor. (1.) Take at least 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it! In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see http://www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR: enter: "vitamin D3". Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com – "vitamin D3; testing". Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; the deficiency in vitamin B9 (folate, or folic acid) that most depressed people have, is known to cause depression. Around 30% – 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels.

   (2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, or 30 – 60 mns, 5 times weekly in daytime, outside. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn’t wanted when dealing with depression. (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain). (4.) Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as: (free) http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm or http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. Give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free at http://www.emofree.com Professional is best. – There is a version for use in public places, (if you want to, you can claim to have a headache, as you use the acupressuremassage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising (repeating it to yourself in your mind) "Even though I suffer from depression, I deeply and completely accept myself." (5.) Initially, at least, some form of psychotherapy or counselling; later, perhaps either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, (a free E course in it, which may well reduce the time needed in therapy, as should *, & ** is at: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome ) or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy for, say, 6 months. (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule**. (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John’s wort, (get a German variety, if possible; local ones may vary in effectiveness. Jarsin, Perika, and Kira brands have been recommended as being effective. Take with a meal), Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, or supplements, such as SAMe, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine: see: http://www.indepression.com/depression-natural-remedy.html (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets have old/inferior types, or mail order: Google: " … ; supplies").
2. TalkGood says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   Ever read One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest?

   Doesn’t sound so fun.
3. monica says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   Try Byron Katie’s "The Work" – this helped me HUGELY!

   Try reading Patrick Holford "Low GL diet" – Since eating so well and taking fish oils, the mental noise has really decreased by an enormous amount, I am amazed.

   If you get panic attacks, try the free emails on the panicaway website -these are very helpful.

   Wishing you the very best. xxx
4. frankjesse says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   shock treatment is known as Electro convulsive Therapy.It got higher rate curing depression than any other treatment of depression.improve the person’s mood with these stock and brain cell will work better.These electric shocks are given 3 to 4 times a week.Before this treatment the patient is put to sleep with drug to avoid injuries during treatment.A total of 12 to 15 shock sessions are prescribed for treatment.
5. Blackcompe says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   Generally its reserved at a last resort, but is used for people who need quick action because they’re a thread to themselves or others. It’s got the same actions as anti-depressants, essentially. Usually there’s significant short term memory loss and headache afterward.
6. J G says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   What I do know about it is it is usually very effective, but usually used as last resort due to side effects. Short term memory loss is common, some memories eventually come back, some never do. From what I have heard it usually doesnt end up being a 1 time thing…..multiple times are needed. And working or attending school would not be possible for a time afterwards
7. Depwill says:

   June 7, 2010 at 15:22

   Hi Wenn,

   I have also tried numerous antidepressants (the SSRIs) but all that did not work for me. After changing psychiatrist, I was put on a combination of antidepressants and that for the first time in years stabilised my depression.

   However years down the road, I become somewhat tolerant to my meds and at the final resort went for ECT. I was put on sedative to sleep before a dose of electric current is passed through my head to induce a seizure. This induced seizure under sedative is said to work on most depressed patients and supposed to work faster than meds, but after 6 sessions conducted on alternate days, I didn’t feel any improvement. I was told that I was in the minority of patients where ECT failed to work. Yes, the side-effect is short term memory loss. It is also a very uncomfortable experience.

   Most patients take ECT at the last resort. Why not ask your psychiatrist to put you on a combination of antidepressants for a change. If this also don’t work for you, then by all means try the ECT.

   Take good care and I wish you all the best,
   Depwill

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