Posted by SLS on May 29, 2003, at 7:34:06
In reply to Has anyone had ECT and not relapsed?, posted by dave1 on May 28, 2003, at 20:24:16
> Hi,
>
> Has anyone had ECT and not relapsed?
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
Hi Dave.The rate of relapse within a few months after a course of ECT is very high. However, I don't think ECT should be looked at as a one-time treatment, especially in recurrent depression. It should either be considered an ongoing treatment with maintenance sessions or a way to kick-start medication therapy. That's just my opinion, of course. For some people, it is the only thing that works. ECT might also be considered during an acute episode when someone is psychotic or persistently suicidal.
ECT works, but is not without compromise in terms of side-effects and convenience. Hopefully, rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) will offer an alternative that is equally efficaceous, but without the side effects and the necessity for general anesthesia of ECT. I have gone through a course of ECT (6 unilateral followed by 8 bilateral). Despite the fact that it was generally without effect, I would not hesitate to try rTMS.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:229813
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030525/msgs/229901.html