What is ECT? Does it really help a person with severe depression?
480706
ECT as others have said has been used for years, when it was first discovered it was used for all mental illnesses and practised in an unsafe manner, it is now used with a lot more humanity. Before they would just use a standard dose nowadays they slowly increase the dose until the patient has a small fit, (the fit represents the brain reseting). There is still not much conclusive evidence to state how it works but does have mircalous effects when other treatments (medication & therapy) haven't worked. Some people joke and say there are more risks from the anesthetic than ECT, but risks from ECT involve short term memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Although it is used rarely these days it is being used more in older peoples services. There are thousands of websites and books out there, but the problem with them is they all tend to be very much for or against it, i havent seen any which give a fair all round view.\ngood luck and i hope it works well for her
451581
a friend of mine was wrongly committed to an institution. he told me that the electric shock therapy that he received would render him unable to talk, he could hardly move afterwards, they woke him up every morning at 5 and strapped him to a chair and shocked him. His family would come to visit in the afternoon, he would sit in a chair unable to talk to them, unable to sit up straight, they would ask the doctors what was wrong with him, the doctor would shake his head, and they would walk away and cry and he would cry. \n\nI feel deeply sorry for anyone who has undergone this sort of thing.
269779
Best thing you can do man. I read abit about that before its amazing the results they had.  Doesnt take years like psycho-therapy and you dont have to deal with malicious anti-depresents in you bloodstream. Best thing you can do, highly recomended.
993349
Depression is more than just the normal, temporary feelings of sadness and hopelessness associated with difficult life events. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. It can be hard to recognize that symptoms may be connected and that you might have depression. Common symptoms include:\n\nDepressed mood. \nInability to enjoy activities. \nProblems concentrating. \nChanges in eating habits or appetite. \nWeight gain or weight loss. \nChanges in sleeping habits. \nDifficulty going to work or taking care of your daily responsibilities because of a lack of energy. \nFeelings of guilt and hopelessness; wondering if life is worth living (common). \nSlowed thoughts and speech. \nPreoccupation with thoughts of death or suicide. \nComplaints that have no physical cause (somatic complaints) such as headache and stomachache. \nAll of these symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. Even if you don't have major depression, if you have experienced a few of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks you may have a less severe form of depression that still requires treatment.\n\nHow is it treated?\n\nDepression is usually treated successfully with professional counseling, antidepressant medication, or a combination of the two. Often a combination of the two is most effective. People with depression usually can be treated as outpatients, but in severe cases a period of hospitalization may be necessary.\n\nIf you have mild or moderate depression, you may be diagnosed and treated by your family health professional and a therapist or psychologist. If you have severe depression or other psychological disorders or do not respond to treatment, a psychiatrist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems, may be helpful.\n\nLet your health professional know if you suspect that you have depression, because it is often overlooked. If you are diagnosed with depression, you and your health professional can decide on the best treatment. The earlier you are treated, the more quickly you will recover. 1
494108
There are definite changes in the way the brain works when a person is depressed:\n\n1. Modern brain scans that can look at how 'hard' the brain is working have shown that some areas of the brain (such as at the front) are not working as well as normal.\n\n2. Depressed patients have higher than normal levels of stress hormones.\n\n3. Various chemical systems in the brain may not be working correctly including one known as the serotonin or 5-HT system.\n\nAntidepressants may help to reverse these changes. Unfortunately there is no brain scan or blood test that can be used to diagnose when a person has a depressive illness. The diagnosis can only be made from the symptoms. Generally speaking a diagnosis of depression will be made if a person has a persistently low mood that significantly influences their everyday life and has been present for two weeks or more, and there are also three or four or more other symptoms of depression. \n\nStress can lead to you to feeling 'down' and 'miserable'. What is different about a depressive illness is that these feelings last for weeks or months, rather than days. In addition to feeling low most or all of the time, many other symptoms can occur in depressive illness (though not everybody has every one). These include:\n\n-Being unable to gain pleasure from activities that normally would be pleasurable.\n-Losing interest in normal activities, hobbies and everyday life.\n-Feeling tired all of the time and having no energy.\n-Difficulty sleeping or waking early in the morning (though some feel that they can't get out of bed and 'face the world').\n-Having a poor appetite, no interest in food and losing weight (though some people overeat and put on weight - 'comfort eating').\n-Losing interest in sex.\n-Finding it difficult to concentrate and think straight.\n-Feeling restless, tense and anxious.\n-Being irritable.\n-Losing self-confidence.\n-Avoiding other people.\n-Finding it harder than usual to make decisions.\n-Feeling useless and inadequate - 'a waste of space'.\n-Feeling guilty about who you are and what you have done.\n-Feeling hopeless - that nothing will make things better.\n-Thinking about suicide - this is very common. If you feel this way, talk to somebody about it. If you think somebody else might be thinking this way, ask them about it - IT WILL NOT MAKE THEM MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE.\n\nWhat causes depression?\n\n-We do not fully understand the causes of depression.\n-Genes or early life experiences may make some people vulnerable.\n-Stressful life events, such as losing a job or a relationship ending, may trigger an episode of depression.\n-Depression can be triggered by some physical illnesses, drug treatments and recreational drugs.
525279
The best thing is not medication, but ECT, electroconvulsive therapy, I know it sounds harsh, but they put you under general anesthesia so you don't feel a thing.  In addition it is effective 60% of the time, where as anti-psychotics are only effective 40%.  in any case consult your doctor for the treatment plan that is best for you, and DO NOT go off you medication regimen without advise from your doctor.
698810
I was on edge at all time and really didn't help w/depression. It made me shakey and like I was on a caffeine rush at all times.\nEveryone is different though.\nGood luck.
976955
I have had depression for many years and have tried many things.  The counsellor is very important and necessary.  As far as medications go, it takes a while to find one that will work for you. If you are not suicidal, I would try other means of treatment if you do not want to take medications.\n\nI have had good results from accupuncture and vitamins.  Unfortunately neither are covered by my medical plan.  \n\nIf you go see a naturopath, they might be able to help you find some vitamins and other supplements that would help.\n\nExercise is also very important as it releases natural endorphins, and helps burn off stress.  Try to get your heart rate up for half an hour at least three times a week.  \n\nTry avoiding chemicals in the food you eat, as this can throw off your brain chemistty.\n\nTry not to sit at home and watch TV a lot.  Get out and do things because this will help take your mind off things.\n\nIf you don't go to church, try to find one...studies show that people with religious beliefs tend to be happier than those without them.\n\nAlso, do you live in a northern climate, or a place where it rains a lot.  I live in Vancouver, BC, and it rains most of the winter here.  My depression is worse in the winter because of the lack of sunlight.  If the lack of sunlight is a factor for you, get yourself a SAD light (SAD = seasonal effective disorder).  If you do buy one, make sure that the light that comes out of it is white.  Many products say that they are a SAD light, but they have an orange light.  In order for the product to work, if has to be a full-spectrum light, which is white.\n\nOkay, I hope I have been some help.  I wish you luck.
500704
yes i think so. i mean, talk with your dr's and stuff. but depression is a bump in the road, not a dead end.
541160
My father has been undergoing ECT treatment for bipolar disorder for the last 8 weeks and it has not been working for him.  He says it is better than nothing but not nearly as good as the medication (lithium).  He started ECT because he ended up with toxic levels of lithium in his system for a while that gave him cognitive impairment.  It is hard to say if the ECT is keeping the cognitive impairment going or stopping it where it is.  Overall, the treatments are OK and he hasn't experienced any memory loss.  I hope this helped, and good luck.
117917
Depression is something that should be evaluated by a health care professional, to begin with.\nBe meticulous about taking the medications as prescribed, if that is the case.\nHowever, there are many things you still can and should do, to get a grip on it. \nFirst of all, following the advice from the health care professional, get involved with counseling. \nA therapist, who I would suggest to be a Psychologist, should help you to sort much of the mind confusion that accompanies depression. \nA Christian counselor, will guide you to seek help from the spiritual realms, since most depressed patients feel very lonely and also feel that their prayers are not answered.\nRelatives or very good friends should keep you company as much as possible to handle the oppressive loneliness that comes with it.  \nPrepare an agenda of things to do, the previous night. Stay busy. Do not overwork yourself. Measure the workload as much as possible.\nExercise. Include that in your agenda. \nSet up goals. Adjust your goals accordingly with the results you will be achieving. \nDo your best to get a vision for your life. Usually (not always), depression is the result of a traumatic event that threw you off the path you had for your life, and you find yourself in a situation where you feel your life has no purpose anymore.
136076
I was terribly depressed and I found that medication helped me the most.  Depacote, Zoloft or Wellbutrin. They helped me immediately.
1073271
I've suffered from depression my whole life, while it hasnt been cured, it can certainly be managed with medications.  You can search depression on almost any site and get the answer to your question.  Usually, it starts with a depressed, or sad mood.  What is depression?\n\nDepression is a mood disorder that causes you to feel sad or hopeless for an extended period of time. More than just a bout of "the blues" or temporary feelings of grief or low energy, depression can have a significant impact on your enjoyment of life, your work, your health, and the people you care about. \n\nDepression affects people differently. Some feel down for extended periods of time; for others the feelings of depression come and go. If you have short episodes of mild depression, you may be able to continue to work and take care of daily activities. However, if you do not seek some form of treatment for your depression, you are at risk for getting more depressed or becoming physically ill. In severe cases, depression can cause people to become incapable of communicating, unable to do routine activities, or suicidal. In these cases, it is essential to seek medical attention.\n\nPeople with depression may be reluctant to seek help because they feel that it is a sign of personal weakness or a character flaw or that they should be able to "pull out of it" on their own. We now know that depression, like other medical conditions, has a chemical and biological basis. Treatment for depression is safe and usually effective even for severely depressed people.\n\nIf you think you may have depression, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:\n\n'check out yahoo health for further info.  Don't give up.
235229
You need to be in therapy. Antidepressants treat the symptoms of depression, not the causes. I have been on anti-depressants and in therapy for years and years. Just now, am I really getting a grip on my thoughts. A therapist (you need to find a good one you can trust) can help you see how distorted your thinking is and give you a different way to look at things. They can be someone that you can talk to about anything at all. They should help you set up an emergency plan for those times when you feel suicidal or wanting to hurt yourself. That plan, you should act on if you start feeling this way. It may include calling a trusted friend, going out into public at a coffee shop or something. Many times it includes calling your therapist and talking to them about it. But at any rate, a therapist is a person who will go to bat for you (or should) and they are a needed tool on anyone's battle against depression.
1097259
Yes it does. Reiki will balance the chakras (energy centers) and with this energy balanced will help the patient get out of that depression, you have to be careful an actually know how to care of that patient, if there is depression there will be emotional baggage coming out so you will have to be ready to help that patient. if that patient is willing meditation will help as well. Good luck and god bless.
251828
While therapy and antidepressant medication are the most effective treatments for depression, home treatment is also important. There are many steps you can take to help yourself during a depressive episode and to prevent future episodes:\n\nSet realistic goals for yourself, and take on a reasonable amount of responsibility. \nBreak large tasks into small ones, and set priorities. Do what you can when you are able. \nPostpone major life decisions (such as changing jobs, moving, or getting married or divorced) when you are depressed. \nTry to share your feelings with someone. It is usually better than being alone and secretive. \nLet your family and friends help you. \nEven if you don't feel motivated, try to participate in religious, social, or other activities. \nGet regular exercise. \nEat a balanced diet. If you lack an appetite, eat small snacks rather than large meals. \nAvoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs or medications that have not been prescribed to you. They may interfere with your medications or worsen your depression. \nGet adequate sleep. If you have problems sleeping: \nGo to bed at the same time every night and, more importantly, get up at the same time every morning. \nKeep your bedroom dark and free of noise. \nDon't exercise after 5:00 p.m. \nAvoid caffeinated beverages after 5:00 p.m. \nAvoid the use of nonprescription sleeping pills or alcohol, because they can make your sleep restless and may interact with your depression medications. \nBe patient and kind to yourself. Remember that depression is not your fault and is not something you can overcome with willpower alone. Treatment is necessary for depression, just like for any other illness. \nTry to maintain a positive attitude—remember that feeling better takes time, and your mood will improve little by little. \n\nOther Treatment\nProfessional counseling is an important part of treatment for depression. Complementary therapies such as massage therapy and yoga may also help you recover more quickly and improve your quality of life. For information about relaxation techniques you can do at home, see relaxation exercises. \n\nFamily therapy may help you and those who care about you deal with depression. \n\nElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used for those who cannot take antidepressant medications, who have not responded to other treatments, or whose depression is severe and includes symptoms of psychosis, suicidal behavior, or an inability to eat. 10 \n\nOther Treatment Choices\nCounseling is an important part of the treatment for depression. The types of counseling most often used for effective treatment of depression include:\n\nCognitive-behavioral therapy, a type of counseling that teaches a person how to become healthier by modifying certain thought and behavior patterns. This type of therapy can be provided individually or in a group setting. \nInterpersonal therapy, which focuses on social and personal relationships and related problems. \nProblem-solving therapy, which focuses on the problems you are currently facing and on helping you find solutions to those problems. \nFamily therapy, a type of counseling involving the entire family. \nElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat severe depression or depression that has not responded well to medications and counseling. ECT also may be a treatment choice for someone who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications. Modern ECT treatments consist of mild electric brain stimulation while you are unconscious (under general anesthetic) and are an effective treatment for depression. Side effects of ECT include memory loss and confusion. \n\nComplementary therapies \n\nThe herb St. John's wort has been shown to work for mild to moderate depression, but it can interact with other medications. \nFish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids is currently being studied for possible antidepressant effects. \nSAM-e ( S-adenosylmethionine), a substance that occur
59067
Yes! 98% of depressed people can be treated and many "cured" so it does not return. The cure is a change in both the brain (correct chemicals) and in the mind (appropriate thinking). Dr. Daniel Amen has some amazing SPECT scans of depressed then cured brains as proof.