Thank you so much for sharing your story it is invaluable for someone like me to hear these positive stories. I had six sessions of bilateral ECT and was released from Hospital on Saturday, I did not experience any memory loss and I also feel this incredible calmness that you talked about, it was the weirdest feeling that my terrible anxiety was gone after a few treatments and that my brain was actually "quiet" and still is. My mom cried when she saw me after the last treatment and said that she had her old daughter back as my mood lifted after a year of morbid depression, I have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital 4 times over the last 4 years. I know I still have a way to go and will keep on seeing my therapist and using medication as I'm bipolar but I regret not going for the treatment sooner.
@@DouglasBloch A weird thought occured to me 17 yrs ago and I'm stuck in d cycle of related intrusive thoughts. Harder I try to cm out of it, more I'm sucked into it. Totally forgot my identity, existence nd memories. I'm a different person in my own body. Cant live cant die. Plz help😭😭😭😭
@@davidseriff711 no ketamine is man made, I tried and felt like a zombie running off of synthetic compounds. It just has a feel that it's not made for the body to intake.
I’m 63 and have had another bout of MDD for 8 months. Nothing is working, so I’m seriously considering this treatment. I don’t care about memory loss. It will be a blessing.
Great video; thank you for sharing your story. It's sad that we who have had great experiences with ECT need to work so hard to help reduce the stigma, but that's just the state that the media has put our nation in. ECT completely changed my life, and I would recommend it to anyone who has depression that does not respond to other treatments.
I have depression and ocd and anxiety. My experience is that the bad horrible days don't last forever. Suicidal thoughts don't last forever. Things always improve, but with medication and professional help Things will improve quicker, goods days may not last forever , but the good days return. I was extremely Suicidal for a long time, but eventually the Suicidal thoughts went away. I still have poor mental health, but I'm very happy to be alive, even on the bad days im happy to be alive Possibly because i know if u wait u will be happy to be alive again, It took me about 4 years to feel okay. It's worth the wait for all.❤
Hi,thank you so much for sharing your experience with ECTs. There just isn't enough 'out there' from actual patients who felt a positive change. I love how you broke it down for someone who might be considering it. My experience with ECT treatments have been over a span of almost 20 years in between sets. I have experienced unusual trauma in childhood that seems to cause me to not deal and process things as most would. I began talk therapy at 18,as soon as i could go to one on my own(while in college).First time for ECT treatments was at 33,though it sustained me enough to carry on with life,I still suffered with major depression but without the suicidal issues. Until I hit 50,and was thrown into a really severe episode due to certain traumas. This set(all 12 bilateral)did a wondrous job. Better than first set(same doctor ordered and same hospital attended)by far! For the first month after treatment,I was stress free for the first time I could ever remember. Almost euphoric,even. This feeling only lasted a month. Due to my memory issues with it,I have again went to just talk and pharmaceuticals therapy,without maintenance ones. I am stable enough that I feel its safe(as does my doctor). I do feel it is a life saving treatment and will do again if needed. I wish you continued good mental health as you journey through life!
I'm thinking about getting the ECT I'm kinda worried that it won't help. I have had depression since 1999. Prescribed Paxil and Remaron .threw the years I have been on so many different antidepressants at least 20 to 30. I am now 56 years old and my depression and anxiety is getting really bad. I am scared sometimes I wish that I don't wake up in the morning. And My husband is trying to understand what I am going threw. Thank you for sharing your story.
he means you might want to buy his video...& His book...& Book sessions. Lots of ppl who opt for thix brain damage then spend their lives in any eay possible, yrying to justify what they did....& Monetise it all as theyre then unable to function in anything else. And theugd continue to nelieve this shit !
What worries me is the phrase 'scientists don't understand'. Having known two close relatives who were given ECT I am not disposed to ever allow myself to undergo it. They became less worried, true, but also more lethargic and seemingly de-personalised.
I am a scientist and can say that no one knows how the brain works. The brain is one of the most delicate organs of the body. ECT was developed as stunning of animals made them placid for slaughter, it was then applied to humans. It seems less barbaric than it was in the past as patients are sedated, but it's not. Psychiatry is an area which is a difficult one, psychiatrists do their best, but even the medications used are known to be at best placebos and at worst can have serious damaging effects, the scientific literature is there to prove it. If psychiatrists paid attention to scientific literature they would see this too. I feel that 100 years from now this era will be looked back at with distain, in the same way we look at they way leeches were used by Drs to bleed people to cure them of disease. Go to Pubmed for science. I am very happy you are healing, but I think you did it not ECT, you believed the ECT would work and so your brain complied. You did it! Believe it!
ECT saves my life. I have had it ton for 3 years. 6 sessions each time. I am lucky because it works for me and I have not found any side effects. Will I eventually lose some memory? Probably at some point. But, it's worth it. I think. My depression starts to lift around my 3rd time.
My midlife crisis and many childhood traumas have pushed me into 24/7 fear and deep depression. I am medications resistant. My doctor recommended ECT.... I am affriad of everything now.... Including ECD.
Talk to your doctor more about ECT. It is helped me, my mother, and many of my group members. He might want to watch a Ted talk called "how ECT changed me" by a doctor name Sherwin Neuland
This video was made for years ago. Since then I have been doing well and working on many projects, including a new audiobook had a suicide prevention website
I new it was years a ago, Just wanted to no you were OK and thankfully still going strong,, I actually refer to you daily in difficult times,,, I'm suffering anxiety but I fight fight it and its you giving me tools,,, I Feel kind of guilty that your depression and anxiety altho different to mine seems actually worse listening to your story,, I've managed to hold down my work which I now is important, , I understand that Constant Pain body that was there constant like toothache til the suicidal thoughts come,, Sooo scary,, God Nos how we got through it, But here we are, So again God Bless You and Thankyou,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I had 18 ect treatments for my depression,i had a slight improvement and no long-lasting side effects. I also witnessed other people recovering completely from ect. On my channel i have a video,where i talk extensively about risks and benefits of this procedure. Ect has a very bad reputation,that doesn't match the reality in my opinion.
I'm sitting here on the evening before my 2nd go round with ect. I volunteered 1 1/2 yrs ago and did 8 of the recommended 12. I had to quit because I was getting worse. I was paranoid and frantic over my memory loss. I wish someone had told me then what you just said: keep a diary, and it's not a cure-all. My expectations were so high that I was convinced it didn't work until just recently. In the last month I've not had one day where I don't obsessively think about self harm. I'm miserable. I'm going to try ect again because it obviously has kept my demons at bay for a long time. I am keeping a video diary this time too. Thank you so much for your honesty in posting this. It has helped me so much!
You are welcome. I want to emphasize that my ECT did begin to work until after my treatments had ended. The change was subtle but it was noticeable, and I kept on feeling better. It helped that I was in a structure called intensive outpatient treatment that kept my mind busy and focused outside of myself. In addition one of my group members also had ECT and didn't feel better until he had completed the sessions. Hang in there and tell yourself "every day, in every way, I am getting better and better. You can also call Silent Unity, a 24 hour prayer line, and they will hold you in the light for the next 30 days. It has helped me many times. Their phone number is 1-816-969-2000. Good luck. Keep me posted.
Hi Douglas, I went from my fourth ECT session, I am supposed to have my fifth one tomorrow, doing 2 bilateral weekly, I notice that after each ECT I feel good and relapse strongly after just 3 Days !! IDKW !? After the fourth one I felt strange feelings !! I am hesitated to do the fifth and desperate as well
Thank you Douglas for this.I was looking for an account of ECT from someone I could trust to give an impartial report as I am due to have 8 sessions of bi-lateral ECT as an out patient in 6 weeks.Naturally, given the nature and strongly emotive division this treatment provokes I am a little nervous about undergoing it.Your candid and balanced portrayal has reassured me greatly and my only concern now is how panic stricken I will be after coming out of the anaesthetic.Many thanks Douglas and please continue to post your excellent videos concerning depression on You Tube.
Here is a video I made on ECT in 2014, never thinking that I would need ECT myself two years later. I think I gave a good overview of the treatment. ua-cam.com/video/cG90sVDsuR4/v-deo.html
What medication did you receive for curing your depression before ect treatment (like antidepressants, lithium, neuroleptica)? How long did you suffer from depression (years, decades)?
I tried a number of antidepressants as well as lithium and nothing helped. This episode of depression has been going on for 18 months, although I have had other episodes before that.
Hi Douglas ... Just found this after seeing Noah's visit with you the day before the ECT (something which I had considered for myself, but chose not to do because of the short-term memory loss reports I'd read about. I was encouraged as I watched this video ... until, of course, when you read from your journal entries and there was the short-term memory loss that I'd feared for myself! But this was VERY helpful as it's the first share by someone who has actually gone through ECT. And the fact that it's YOU, and that you''re able to articulate it so well was also very helpful. THANK YOU for this episode, Douglas! I was praying for you during Noah's video. God bless you.
Do you take med's now? I'm considering ECT but I'm with you on the damaging effects of this aggressive treatment to a fragile organ like the brain....but I can't find a med that I can stand due to side effects for this effing disease depression.
They kept you in the hospital all that time ? I watched other testimonies about peoples being sent home after each treatment. I have been suffering from depression for over 4 years now, we tried A LOT of stuff and nothing seems to works long term. I'm wondering if this could help me but i'm very afraid of it. When you talked about waking up feeling no anxiety or anything it seems awesome to me because i don't remember last time i woke up energized and feeling good. I can sleep 10-12 hours and i still wake up feeling like crap.
The memory loss that I experience was for events that occurred at the time that I was having the ECT. For example I don't remember some of the people who came to the hospital. The long-term memory was not affected. I have known about 11 people who have done ECT and their long-term memory was not affected.
Doug I also had eight treatments for suicidal depression. I am feeling a lot better but was advised by Doctors that I needed to continue taking my antidepressant medications. Was this the case with you ?
Thank you for your vid and I trust you are well. I have BiPolor and have just stopped taking an anti psychotic because it made me worse. I take Lithium and an anti depressant .I am concerned that when I hit my next depressive what to do. I live in the UK and our NHS is very reluctant to give ECT
Thank you so very much. I think my Lithium is not working any more.This is because i have had ..bad mood swings over the past year. I am going to seek a review I may need to change my psychiatrist.You are very persevtive
Douglas, was transcranial magnetic stimulation ever offered as a treatment? It's a lot safer, even if it is has a lower success rate than ECT. Wouldnt it be a better to try that first due to lack of sides?
My doctor here in Western Australia does the anasthesia for patients undergoing ECT & on that basis she has told me she doesn't want me to do ECT & my psychiatrist is also against it. I have had depression for over 20 years now, going around in circles with all kinds of different treatments. I'm not getting any better & giving up hope. Every day is like torture and unrelenting pain. Awful way to exist.
I’m sorry to hear about your suffering. A coaching client of mine in Australia has done TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation, which is in used for people with chronic depression. You might want to talk to your psychiatrist about this, as it is a milder form of ECT.
@@DouglasBloch Oh I was surprised to receive a response from you, & a very helpful one at that! Thank you so much Douglas, I'm looking into it right away and have appt with my GP this week. I appreciate you caring enough about me and others and taking the time to respond. I will report back in the hope it may help others so watch this space 😊
Hi Douglas thank you for sharing your experience. This is Rodrigo Suarez from Mexico City. My dad recently fell under severe depression and he has received already 6 treatments. He is 66 years old. The doctor said they will give him 6 more, to sum up at the end 12. So far I have seen very little progress on him. My mom and my brother would like to know what did your relatives do to handle your situation. He continues getting the anti-depression pills, including Serokel 300 mg. He got diagnosed bipolar back in 2006 and was prescribed with Serokel 150 mg which he took until february this year. We would like to get some advice or any support you can provide us. Thank you.
My relatives went and got support for themselves by going to a therapist. Also in America we have a national alliance on mental illness which offers free classes for people who have family members with mental illnesses. Perhaps there may be something like that in Mexico
@@DouglasBloch Thank you for your quick reply. We will certainly look for help from a therapist as well as the from other resources here in Mexico. Regards.
I'm going to ask my Dr. here in Japan for ECT. (We've already talked about it and he's basically consented but said certain tests needed first.) It's kind of my last "hope' in that the anti-depressants have stopped working altogether. Thank you for this video.
Good luck getting the ECY. It helped me. This story just ran today on National Public Radio. It should give you encouragement. www.npr.org/2017/01/17/510204486/kitty-dukakis-electroshock-therapy-has-given-me-a-new-lease-on-life
The temporary amnesia sounds so scary. If you don’t mind me asking, how much lamictal did you have to come off? Did you just stop it cold turkey and not take it at all until the sessions were done? It’s been pitched to me by my healthcare provider but I’m scared lol
Douglas Bloch how did it effect your work habits did I forget any part of your job, I am in the process of doing ect and the part of it worries me. Dana email rkgoinghome060204@aol.com Thank you
Hello Douglas. I am currently receiving ECT treatments. I have had 18 treatments so far and am beginning to feel a little better. I intend to continue receiving 2 treatments/week for the next 2 weeks. About 5 treatments ago, I switched from "unilateral" ECT to "bilateral" ECT. Bilateral ECT is supposed to be more effective than unilateral, but also causes greater memory problems. I know you had your series of 8 treatments back in January 2016. I am curious if you have had any additional ECT treatments since January 2016?
Wow. The doctors are very nice to keep giving you treatments. I had 8 bilateral treatments, which as you know, are more effective. I have not had any additional ECT treatments, mainly because the doctor at OHSU who performed them left her position. Fortunately, so far I have managed to remain stable.
I'm glad to hear you have remained stable. Yes, I have a pretty good ECT doctor here in SE Florida. I've now had 8 bilateral ECT treatments and I am feeling a little better. I have to talk to the doctor about how many more treatments I may get. I would like to complete at least 12 bilateral treatments.
Hi Douglas. I ended up getting 2 more bilateral ECT treatments, with my last treatment on June 09, 2017. I had a total of 12 unilateral treatments and 8 bilateral treatments. All my friends, as well as my girlfriend, say I am much better. I do feel a little better, however, I'm still experiencing moderate depression. I would definitely recommend ECT to anyone with treatment resistant depression. I would also consider going back for more treatments depending on how things go from here.
It usually recovers over a number of months from the time of the last treatment. Normally the long-term memory is not affected. What was it like for you?
It has been six months and I don't think my short term is all the way back. It saved me from depression but have become traumatized from the treatment and hospital. I even had a little bit of mild ptsd when I came out of the hospital. Thanks for your videos and your story. Is it true that short term memory recovers for most people.
@@DouglasBloch ok thank you. It was real bad in the new year but dramatically improved with medication. And feeling much better now. It took almost 4 months but it finally worked. Hang in there people, took me awhile but it you will get better trust me.
Wow! What a simplistic reaction. Obviously you have an agenda, however, people who have ECT are usually doing so after other therapies and medications have not helped. A few lost memories during the period of treatment is not a memory problem. You can get the same results from medications. Look up tardive dyskinesia sometime.
i'm glad ect really helped, but i do have mixed feelings about it as a treatment, i can understand why people try it when they've run out of options, i was in a very dark place of complete hopelessness at one point and medications weren't really helping. I think at one point they were going to offer me ect as an outpatient, but i have somehow managed to scrape through without it. I've never been hospitalised, but i get the impression they're not always a great therapeutic environment for people. I think governments need to create a better mental health system, rather than use treatments as drastic as ect imo..
I'd be willing to consider giving etc a shot, but I don't think my heart would be healthy enough to handle it. High doses of thc cannabis gave me bad palpitations and blood pressure issues, I messed myself up. My short term memory is already bad too. Etc is crazy though because people are either healed for the better from it or severely traumatized because of it. It's very polarizing. Wish I was brave enough to try it since I haven't had the best luck with medications and side effects. But since my memory is already terrible and it's likely that I have an underlying heart problem, I probably won't.
You should have a Doctor that specializes in ECT evaluate you. They will give you an EKG and determine if the heart can handle it. Then you will have more information to go on. Otherwise you can try something called TMS which simply involves running a magnet over your head and does not produce any seizures.
To the extent that it can decrease depression it helps with sleep if sleep is a symptom of the depression. You might want to talk to somebody in your area who administers ECT
hmm there is no compensation on diagnosis of MDD? As far as I know the ongoing studies promises a lot of good things regarding Ketamine on treatment resistent MDD. I think, maybe there's some dim light in the tunnel , at least I hope so.
+fojerbachas no compensation on diagnosis of MDD? I got he highest disabilty payment for depression . As I can remember I had a few doctors sign off on the application . 8 months later I got a check in the mail . But I also know alot of people who were denied . It really has to do with the credibility of the doctor helping you with these government forms ..Im in canada anyways but u might want to try because here if you have a history with depression your allowed compensation .
You could be right. I contacted several clinics and the minimum treatments varied from three to six. I had five and no response - just expense. I suggested to my clinic after three treatments that there was no need for more but was urged to continue to five as that was what the Mayo Clinic protocol was so I continued to five. Afterward I contacted Mayo Clinic asking what their protocol was and was told that it was five treatments but is now three. If no response by three it was not going to be effective. There is a video where a person with severe depression had nine before an effect was realized.
For me ect destroyed my life. 4 years after 8 treatments, I still have double vision, motion sickness which stops me walking more than a few hundred yards, unable to watch TV, or drive (because I know longer understand how to) . I have pressure in my head , and numbness in my face 24/7. Very light sensitive. Can no longer count money, or count beyond about 15. Immediately after treatment I started shoplifting and had the desire to watch pornography.
The manufacturers of Thymatron ECT machines, Somatics, were recently forced to add 'Permanent brain damage' to their list of 'side effects' after they were sued (and settled out of court) by damaged patients. ECT brain concussion is a temporary 'fix' to depression. The depression comes back and now you have permanent brain damage.
I've known lots of people to go through a meditation regimen and survive depression... adult males seem to need particularly intense circumstances to reconnect (I'm talking about me D:)
Most of the time the memory loss only occurs for events that occurred while you were getting the treatment. I've seen 11 people get ECT and none of them has had severe memory loss. My cognitive functions after the treatment were better because I was less depressed
I met Dr. Mayberg when she came to Portland eight years ago. She's a true pioneer and I have seen videos of her work. Are there any other practitioners that perform the same procedure?
@@DouglasBloch there are a number of people who perform the procedure, but I think it’s still in the trial phase because it failed the first-time through. All I know for sure is that it’s not available to me, and so I’m having ECT, but I’m nervous that it’s just going to be a short term solution, if a solution at all, for Depression that won’t lift
Please use common sense. Electrical currents to the brain results into brain damage. A head injury can cause euphoric effect. Headaches, confusion, brain damage
ECT has been studied scientifically for over half a century. The literature shows at 70 to 90% success rate. My mother had five ECT treatments and had none of these symptoms. Neither have all the people I know who have gotten the treatment including myself
@@DouglasBloch Douglass your a good kind man. You stated in the video waking up confused and disoriented. Electricity to the brain is head trauma plain and simple. Confusion and headaches are tell tale signs head trauma.A head injury can initially make people euphoric. Doctors report mood improved hence therefore a success . It's insane.. I dont know Doug I like you and watch your videos. I just worry about people getting this done.
Thank you so much for sharing your story it is invaluable for someone like me to hear these positive stories. I had six sessions of bilateral ECT and was released from Hospital on Saturday, I did not experience any memory loss and I also feel this incredible calmness that you talked about, it was the weirdest feeling that my terrible anxiety was gone after a few treatments and that my brain was actually "quiet" and still is. My mom cried when she saw me after the last treatment and said that she had her old daughter back as my mood lifted after a year of morbid depression, I have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital 4 times over the last 4 years. I know I still have a way to go and will keep on seeing my therapist and using medication as I'm bipolar but I regret not going for the treatment sooner.
I'm glad that the treatment worked. Here is a video I just made about making sure your recovery continues.
ua-cam.com/video/_6TVx1GSG2E/v-deo.html
Douglas Bloch
Carin van Vuuren I am doing this in 3 hours. I am so scared. I hope it helps!
John Rambo how did it go?
@@DouglasBloch A weird thought occured to me 17 yrs ago and I'm stuck in d cycle of related intrusive thoughts. Harder I try to cm out of it, more I'm sucked into it. Totally forgot my identity, existence nd memories. I'm a different person in my own body. Cant live cant die. Plz help😭😭😭😭
Tbh i dont give a shit if i lose my memory. As long as my ocd/anxiety goes away, im good with that
Agreed.
I'm hoping I can lose some of the traumatic memories. My therapist and I are talking about doing this for me.
@@jessicamorris6193 dmt, dmt, dmt is your answer!!!!!
@@davidseriff711 no ketamine is man made, I tried and felt like a zombie running off of synthetic compounds. It just has a feel that it's not made for the body to intake.
You lose your memories to brain damage. Dont buy into the hype it's barbaric
Shared this and others of your videos with my colleagues in medical school. You’re an inspiration, Doug!
Thanks. What kind of medicine do you practice
Douglas , thank you for sharing your treatment experience, that was a lot for you too go thru, glad it finally helped ya.
I’m 63 and have had another bout of MDD for 8 months. Nothing is working, so I’m seriously considering this treatment. I don’t care about memory loss. It will be a blessing.
I wish you the best. It does have a good success rate. If you wish let me know how it turns out
Great video; thank you for sharing your story. It's sad that we who have had great experiences with ECT need to work so hard to help reduce the stigma, but that's just the state that the media has put our nation in. ECT completely changed my life, and I would recommend it to anyone who has depression that does not respond to other treatments.
I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you...
Could you possibly email me? Thank you.
Did you have unilateral or bilateral?
Following
I have depression and ocd and anxiety.
My experience is that the bad horrible days don't last forever.
Suicidal thoughts don't last forever.
Things always improve, but with medication and professional help Things will improve quicker, goods days may not last forever , but the good days return.
I was extremely Suicidal for a long time, but eventually the Suicidal thoughts went away.
I still have poor mental health, but I'm very happy to be alive, even on the bad days im happy to be alive
Possibly because i know if u wait u will be happy to be alive again,
It took me about 4 years to feel okay.
It's worth the wait for all.❤
Love the tulip make everything brighter ❤️❤️
Your mental health recovery story is so interesting and inspiring ⛅🧡
Happy to hear it helped Doug. All the best for your ongoing recovery.
Thank you.
Hi,thank you so much for sharing your experience with ECTs. There just isn't enough 'out there' from actual patients who felt a positive change. I love how you broke it down for someone who might be considering it.
My experience with ECT treatments have been over a span of almost 20 years in between sets. I have experienced unusual trauma in childhood that seems to cause me to not deal and process things as most would. I began talk therapy at 18,as soon as i could go to one on my own(while in college).First time for ECT treatments was at 33,though it sustained me enough to carry on with life,I still suffered with major depression but without the suicidal issues. Until I hit 50,and was thrown into a really severe episode due to certain traumas. This set(all 12 bilateral)did a wondrous job. Better than first set(same doctor ordered and same hospital attended)by far! For the first month after treatment,I was stress free for the first time I could ever remember. Almost euphoric,even. This feeling only lasted a month. Due to my memory issues with it,I have again went to just talk and pharmaceuticals therapy,without maintenance ones. I am stable enough that I feel its safe(as does my doctor). I do feel it is a life saving treatment and will do again if needed.
I wish you continued good mental health as you journey through life!
Thanks. As you have learned healing from depression is a lifetime journey. We need to use all the tools we can based on what we need in the moment
How interesting. It’s been something I’ve given great thought to doing.
Thanks for your honesty. It really helps a lot.
You’re welcome.
You’re an amazing man Douglas Bloch
Thank you. If you would like to help contribute to this channel, feel free to go to the following page. www.patreon.com/douglasbloch
I'm thinking about getting the ECT I'm kinda worried that it won't help. I have had depression since 1999. Prescribed Paxil and Remaron .threw the years I have been on so many different antidepressants at least 20 to 30. I am now 56 years old and my depression and anxiety is getting really bad. I am scared sometimes I wish that I don't wake up in the morning. And My husband is trying to understand what I am going threw. Thank you for sharing your story.
I owe a lot Mr Douglas. Thank you very much .
you are welcome.
Hi Doug, surprised it worked for you! So hard to find details, so many people suffering.
I have a video called “rebooting the brain with electroconvulsive therapy.” You might want to watch it.
he means you might want to buy his video...& His book...& Book sessions.
Lots of ppl who opt for thix brain damage then spend their lives in any eay possible, yrying to justify what they did....& Monetise it all as theyre then unable to function in anything else.
And theugd continue to nelieve this shit !
You are so kind
What worries me is the phrase 'scientists don't understand'. Having known two close relatives who were given ECT I am not disposed to ever allow myself to undergo it. They became less worried, true, but also more lethargic and seemingly de-personalised.
I am a scientist and can say that no one knows how the brain works. The brain is one of the most delicate organs of the body. ECT was developed as stunning of animals made them placid for slaughter, it was then applied to humans. It seems less barbaric than it was in the past as patients are sedated, but it's not. Psychiatry is an area which is a difficult one, psychiatrists do their best, but even the medications used are known to be at best placebos and at worst can have serious damaging effects, the scientific literature is there to prove it. If psychiatrists paid attention to scientific literature they would see this too. I feel that 100 years from now this era will be looked back at with distain, in the same way we look at they way leeches were used by Drs to bleed people to cure them of disease. Go to Pubmed for science. I am very happy you are healing, but I think you did it not ECT, you believed the ECT would work and so your brain complied. You did it! Believe it!
Healed by using 'magical thinking' That makes so much more sense.
Fred Middleton
ECT saves my life. I have had it ton for 3 years. 6 sessions each time. I am lucky because it works for me and I have not found any side effects. Will I eventually lose some memory? Probably at some point. But, it's worth it. I think. My depression starts to lift around my 3rd time.
I’m glad you found something helpful
Did you saffer from insomnia too before ECT?
My midlife crisis and many childhood traumas have pushed me into 24/7 fear and deep depression. I am medications resistant. My doctor recommended ECT.... I am affriad of everything now.... Including ECD.
Talk to your doctor more about ECT. It is helped me, my mother, and many of my group members. He might want to watch a Ted talk called "how ECT changed me" by a doctor name Sherwin Neuland
Douglas can I ask how you are keeping today sir?,,, Sending Many Blessings, You have helped me so much this past week since finding your channel,
This video was made for years ago. Since then I have been doing well and working on many projects, including a new audiobook had a suicide prevention website
I new it was years a ago, Just wanted to no you were OK and thankfully still going strong,, I actually refer to you daily in difficult times,,, I'm suffering anxiety but I fight fight it and its you giving me tools,,, I Feel kind of guilty that your depression and anxiety altho different to mine seems actually worse listening to your story,, I've managed to hold down my work which I now is important, , I understand that Constant Pain body that was there constant like toothache til the suicidal thoughts come,, Sooo scary,, God Nos how we got through it, But here we are, So again God Bless You and Thankyou,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I had 18 ect treatments for my depression,i had a slight improvement and no long-lasting side effects. I also witnessed other people recovering completely from ect. On my channel i have a video,where i talk extensively about risks and benefits of this procedure. Ect has a very bad reputation,that doesn't match the reality in my opinion.
Thanks for putting out some good information about ECT
I'm sitting here on the evening before my 2nd go round with ect. I volunteered 1 1/2 yrs ago and did 8 of the recommended 12. I had to quit because I was getting worse. I was paranoid and frantic over my memory loss. I wish someone had told me then what you just said: keep a diary, and it's not a cure-all. My expectations were so high that I was convinced it didn't work until just recently. In the last month I've not had one day where I don't obsessively think about self harm. I'm miserable. I'm going to try ect again because it obviously has kept my demons at bay for a long time. I am keeping a video diary this time too. Thank you so much for your honesty in posting this. It has helped me so much!
You are welcome. I want to emphasize that my ECT did begin to work until after my treatments had ended. The change was subtle but it was noticeable, and I kept on feeling better. It helped that I was in a structure called intensive outpatient treatment that kept my mind busy and focused outside of myself. In addition one of my group members also had ECT and didn't feel better until he had completed the sessions. Hang in there and tell yourself "every day, in every way, I am getting better and better. You can also call Silent Unity, a 24 hour prayer line, and they will hold you in the light for the next 30 days. It has helped me many times. Their phone number is 1-816-969-2000. Good luck. Keep me posted.
You are not alone I m here with u
So glad you got the treatment. What a difference! You are indeed brave.
+Theodore Bloch Thanks Ted.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Doug, you are a champ man!❤
You are great man
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, strength and hope
+Rick Roberson You are more than welcome.
Hi Douglas,
I went from my fourth ECT session, I am supposed to have my fifth one tomorrow, doing 2 bilateral weekly, I notice that after each ECT I feel good and relapse strongly after just 3 Days !! IDKW !? After the fourth one I felt strange feelings !! I am hesitated to do the fifth and desperate as well
Thank you Douglas for this.I was looking for an account of ECT from someone I could trust to give an impartial report as I am due to have 8 sessions of bi-lateral ECT as an out patient in 6 weeks.Naturally, given the nature and strongly emotive division this treatment provokes I am a little nervous about undergoing it.Your candid and balanced portrayal has reassured me greatly and my only concern now is how panic stricken I will be after coming out of the anaesthetic.Many thanks Douglas and please continue to post your excellent videos concerning depression on You Tube.
Here is a video I made on ECT in 2014, never thinking that I would need ECT myself two years later. I think I gave a good overview of the treatment.
ua-cam.com/video/cG90sVDsuR4/v-deo.html
How was your experience?
Thanx Doug!
You are welcome.
What medication did you receive for curing your depression before ect treatment (like antidepressants, lithium, neuroleptica)? How long did you suffer from depression (years, decades)?
I tried a number of antidepressants as well as lithium and nothing helped. This episode of depression has been going on for 18 months, although I have had other episodes before that.
@@DouglasBloch Thank you for answering. I am in the same position as you are and considering ECT.
By the way: "Bloch" is a typical German surname.
Hi Douglas ... Just found this after seeing Noah's visit with you the day before the ECT (something which I had considered for myself, but chose not to do because of the short-term memory loss reports I'd read about. I was encouraged as I watched this video ... until, of course, when you read from your journal entries and there was the short-term memory loss that I'd feared for myself! But this was VERY helpful as it's the first share by someone who has actually gone through ECT. And the fact that it's YOU, and that you''re able to articulate it so well was also very helpful. THANK YOU for this episode, Douglas! I was praying for you during Noah's video. God bless you.
+Califraska Thanks. The short term memory loss was not that bad. It is minor compared to the good that the treatments provided.
Do you take med's now? I'm considering ECT but I'm with you on the damaging effects of this aggressive treatment to a fragile organ like the brain....but I can't find a med that I can stand due to side effects for this effing disease depression.
My long term was effected a little. I think It's going to take longer than usual for my short term. It's been a little longer than six months.
Iam suffer from lack of sleep,how i can know that insomnia is a symptoms of depression?
They kept you in the hospital all that time ? I watched other testimonies about peoples being sent home after each treatment. I have been suffering from depression for over 4 years now, we tried A LOT of stuff and nothing seems to works long term. I'm wondering if this could help me but i'm very afraid of it. When you talked about waking up feeling no anxiety or anything it seems awesome to me because i don't remember last time i woke up energized and feeling good. I can sleep 10-12 hours and i still wake up feeling like crap.
What level of memory loss are we talking about, exactly? Immediate, long term? I still dont understand that.
The memory loss that I experience was for events that occurred at the time that I was having the ECT. For example I don't remember some of the people who came to the hospital. The long-term memory was not affected. I have known about 11 people who have done ECT and their long-term memory was not affected.
Glad your better ❤️❤️
Doug I also had eight treatments for suicidal depression. I am feeling a lot better but was advised by Doctors that I needed to continue taking my antidepressant medications. Was this the case with you ?
Thank you for your vid and I trust you are well. I have BiPolor and have just stopped taking an anti psychotic because it made me worse. I take Lithium and an anti depressant .I am concerned that when I hit my next depressive what to do. I live in the UK and our NHS is very reluctant to give ECT
Thanks for your feedback. I have remained well since that video. ECT is quite available in Portland Oregon. Can you go outside the NHS to get it?
Thank you so very much. I think my Lithium is not working any more.This is because i have had ..bad mood swings over the past year. I am going to seek a review I may need to change my psychiatrist.You are very persevtive
I'm taking Wellbutrin and lamictal too.
Hi Douglas,
Are you taking any medication After ECT .
Douglas, was transcranial magnetic stimulation ever offered as a treatment? It's a lot safer, even if it is has a lower success rate than ECT. Wouldnt it be a better to try that first due to lack of sides?
I wanted to do TMS but could not because I did not have Kaiser insurance and Kaiser was the only place in town that offered TMS.
I did TMS in 2016. I had like 30 treatments. Unfortunately it didn't help.
i had to have ect because i was on lamictal and it made me so suicidal glad it worked!!
Did the treatments break your bank account? Or is it well covered under insurance?
I was on Medicare, which paid for it, thanks goodness. Almost all insurance plans cover ECT.
U r a brave soul.✌👏👏
Doug u underwent invasive procedure like ECT 8 times.oh.awesome.
I had one procedure which consisted of eight sessions
ECT can effective in resistant OCD... yes or no please tell me?
How long did the positive effects last?
My doctor here in Western Australia does the anasthesia for patients undergoing ECT & on that basis she has told me she doesn't want me to do ECT & my psychiatrist is also against it.
I have had depression for over 20 years now, going around in circles with all kinds of different treatments. I'm not getting any better & giving up hope. Every day is like torture and unrelenting pain. Awful way to exist.
I’m sorry to hear about your suffering. A coaching client of mine in Australia has done TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation, which is in used for people with chronic depression. You might want to talk to your psychiatrist about this, as it is a milder form of ECT.
@@DouglasBloch Oh I was surprised to receive a response from you, & a very helpful one at that!
Thank you so much Douglas, I'm looking into it right away and have appt with my GP this week.
I appreciate you caring enough about me and others and
taking the time to respond.
I will report back in the hope it may help others so watch this space 😊
Based on what? Do you have an underlying health issue? If not, can you get second opinions?
When can I get my first treatment after not taking the Wellbutrin and lamictal?
Hi Douglas thank you for sharing your experience. This is Rodrigo Suarez from Mexico City. My dad recently fell under severe depression and he has received already 6 treatments. He is 66 years old. The doctor said they will give him 6 more, to sum up at the end 12. So far I have seen very little progress on him. My mom and my brother would like to know what did your relatives do to handle your situation. He continues getting the anti-depression pills, including Serokel 300 mg. He got diagnosed bipolar back in 2006 and was prescribed with Serokel 150 mg which he took until february this year. We would like to get some advice or any support you can provide us. Thank you.
My relatives went and got support for themselves by going to a therapist. Also in America we have a national alliance on mental illness which offers free classes for people who have family members with mental illnesses. Perhaps there may be something like that in Mexico
@@DouglasBloch Thank you for your quick reply. We will certainly look for help from a therapist as well as the from other resources here in Mexico. Regards.
I live in Thailand. .I will have to research the efficacy here
YOUR LOOKING AND SOUNDING A HUNDRED TIMES BETTER...!!!
+WILBUR WRIGHT Thanks. I am feeling better.
I'm going to ask my Dr. here in Japan for ECT. (We've already talked about it and he's basically consented but said certain tests needed first.) It's kind of my last "hope' in that the anti-depressants have stopped working altogether. Thank you for this video.
Good luck getting the ECY. It helped me. This story just ran today on National Public Radio. It should give you encouragement.
www.npr.org/2017/01/17/510204486/kitty-dukakis-electroshock-therapy-has-given-me-a-new-lease-on-life
CanterburyCat I live in Asia too
This post is monetised & any negative opinions are bekng censored or removed...be warned !
Do you offer therapy sessions?
The temporary amnesia sounds so scary. If you don’t mind me asking, how much lamictal did you have to come off? Did you just stop it cold turkey and not take it at all until the sessions were done? It’s been pitched to me by my healthcare provider but I’m scared lol
thank you for this video my first session is next week x
Best wishes. Remember that the normal ECT duration is nine to twelve treatments, so it may take time to see results.
Douglas Bloch how did it effect your work habits did I forget any part of your job, I am in the process of doing ect and the part of it worries me.
Dana email rkgoinghome060204@aol.com
Thank you
Dear Douglas Bloch. I have been on anxiety which turn into depression for about 13 months now. Should I try ECT ? I am suicidal.
Possibly, but you have to get evaluated first by a doctor who is trained in ECT. Are there any such doctors where you live?
Is ECT safe outside the USA? What about TMS? 5HTP?
Well I'm signed up for it, it can't be any worse than the hell I am in now. The memory thing scares me tho...
The memory thing scared me too but it wasn’t that bad. And, my depression went away
Dont do it, memory will be gone and learning abilities gone
If you’re in hell, what have you to lose?
I had ten and I quote it was just to dam tough the days after Glad worked for but dam just to many in knowns for me
Iam using medications from 2 yrs I have never seen changes what ud the solution for me
Hello Douglas. I am currently receiving ECT treatments. I have had 18 treatments so far and am beginning to feel a little better. I intend to continue receiving 2 treatments/week for the next 2 weeks. About 5 treatments ago, I switched from "unilateral" ECT to "bilateral" ECT. Bilateral ECT is supposed to be more effective than unilateral, but also causes greater memory problems. I know you had your series of 8 treatments back in January 2016. I am curious if you have had any additional ECT treatments since January 2016?
Wow. The doctors are very nice to keep giving you treatments. I had 8 bilateral treatments, which as you know, are more effective. I have not had any additional ECT treatments, mainly because the doctor at OHSU who performed them left her position. Fortunately, so far I have managed to remain stable.
I'm glad to hear you have remained stable. Yes, I have a pretty good ECT doctor here in SE Florida. I've now had 8 bilateral ECT treatments and I am feeling a little better. I have to talk to the doctor about how many more treatments I may get. I would like to complete at least 12 bilateral treatments.
What you are asking for is quite reasonable. The normal ECT course involves 9-12 treatments. Please keep me posted on your progress.
Hi Douglas. I ended up getting 2 more bilateral ECT treatments, with my last treatment on June 09, 2017. I had a total of 12 unilateral treatments and 8 bilateral treatments. All my friends, as well as my girlfriend, say I am much better. I do feel a little better, however, I'm still experiencing moderate depression. I would definitely recommend ECT to anyone with treatment resistant depression. I would also consider going back for more treatments depending on how things go from here.
Thank you so much for your report. I also had a very good experience with ECT. It brought me out of my last depression.
How long does it take for short term memory to recover from ect?
It usually recovers over a number of months from the time of the last treatment. Normally the long-term memory is not affected. What was it like for you?
It has been six months and I don't think my short term is all the way back. It saved me from depression but have become traumatized from the treatment and hospital. I even had a little bit of mild ptsd when I came out of the hospital. Thanks for your videos and your story. Is it true that short term memory recovers for most people.
Will they give someone ECT for just anxiety on it's own?
It has been given for severe anxiety. Talk to your doctor
@@DouglasBloch ok thank you. It was real bad in the new year but dramatically improved with medication. And feeling much better now. It took almost 4 months but it finally worked. Hang in there people, took me awhile but it you will get better trust me.
Doug do you suffer from any memory loss now that you had ECT?
I have forgotten some of what occurred during the time of the ECT treatment. Otherwise, my memory is fine.
Wow! What a simplistic reaction. Obviously you have an agenda, however, people who have ECT are usually doing so after other therapies and medications have not helped. A few lost memories during the period of treatment is not a memory problem.
You can get the same results from medications. Look up tardive dyskinesia sometime.
Douglas did you go back to anti depressant pills after the eat treatment ?
Yes. I'm on one antidepressant
Law suits taking place around the traumatic brain injuries resulting with every procedure. Please fill out survey on ectjustice.
i'm glad ect really helped, but i do have mixed feelings about it as a treatment, i can understand why people try it when they've run out of options, i was in a very dark place of complete hopelessness at one point and medications weren't really helping. I think at one point they were going to offer me ect as an outpatient, but i have somehow managed to scrape through without it. I've never been hospitalised, but i get the impression they're not always a great therapeutic environment for people. I think governments need to create a better mental health system, rather than use treatments as drastic as ect imo..
Yes, the government does need to provide better mental health care.
I had 26 treatments within 4 months.
Were they helpful?
What I would like to see is how ECT works on the brain. it appears the hippocampus is affected.
Is it only work ood for old people?
I've seen it work with middle-age people
@@DouglasBloch thank you for replay
I'd be willing to consider giving etc a shot, but I don't think my heart would be healthy enough to handle it. High doses of thc cannabis gave me bad palpitations and blood pressure issues, I messed myself up. My short term memory is already bad too. Etc is crazy though because people are either healed for the better from it or severely traumatized because of it. It's very polarizing. Wish I was brave enough to try it since I haven't had the best luck with medications and side effects. But since my memory is already terrible and it's likely that I have an underlying heart problem, I probably won't.
You should have a Doctor that specializes in ECT evaluate you. They will give you an EKG and determine if the heart can handle it. Then you will have more information to go on. Otherwise you can try something called TMS which simply involves running a magnet over your head and does not produce any seizures.
@@DouglasBloch I will definitely look into those options. Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your experiences on here!
Does it help with sleep? x
To the extent that it can decrease depression it helps with sleep if sleep is a symptom of the depression. You might want to talk to somebody in your area who administers ECT
my i ask what kind ect you had in on side brain or two side brain
I had ECT on both sides of the brain, which is called bilateral ECT
hey Douglas,
how about the new Ketamine treatment? Maybe you should enroll in clinical study on Ketamine?
+fojerbachas I thought of getting some, but Ketamine is expensive.
hmm there is no compensation on diagnosis of MDD? As far as I know the ongoing studies promises a lot of good things regarding Ketamine on treatment resistent MDD. I think, maybe there's some dim light in the tunnel , at least I hope so.
+fojerbachas no compensation on diagnosis of MDD? I got he highest disabilty payment for depression . As I can remember I had a few doctors sign off on the application . 8 months later I got a check in the mail . But I also know alot of people who were denied . It really has to do with the credibility of the doctor helping you with these government forms ..Im in canada anyways but u might want to try because here if you have a history with depression your allowed compensation .
I tried Ketamine, it didn't help me at all.
I thought you were on klonopin? What if you are on a benzo long-term?
You should talk about that with your prescriber. See what he or she thinks. Some people stay on benzos long term.
Have you ever considered Ketamine infusion therapy?
+ahp5565 I have looked into it, but it is very expensive and insurance won't cover it.
I have had four ketamine treatments and have had NO benefit. They increased the dosage for the fourth and it really slammed me.
Robert Lockwood if it doesnt work in the first infusion it wont work
You could be right. I contacted several clinics and the minimum treatments varied from three to six. I had five and no response - just expense. I suggested to my clinic after three treatments that there was no need for more but was urged to continue to five as that was what the Mayo Clinic protocol was so I continued to five. Afterward I contacted Mayo Clinic asking what their protocol was and was told that it was five treatments but is now three. If no response by three it was not going to be effective. There is a video where a person with severe depression had nine before an effect was realized.
What have you decided about ketamine therapy?+Robert Lockwood
For me ect destroyed my life. 4 years after 8 treatments, I still have double vision, motion sickness which stops me walking more than a few hundred yards, unable to watch TV, or drive (because I know longer understand how to) . I have pressure in my head , and numbness in my face 24/7. Very light sensitive. Can no longer count money, or count beyond about 15. Immediately after treatment I started shoplifting and had the desire to watch pornography.
The manufacturers of Thymatron ECT machines, Somatics, were recently forced to add 'Permanent brain damage' to their list of 'side effects' after they were sued (and settled out of court) by damaged patients. ECT brain concussion is a temporary 'fix' to depression. The depression comes back and now you have permanent brain damage.
I’m sorry that some people have side effects. Fortunately it has not been the case with me and the people I know
I believe that is true.
Don’t know why anyone would advocate this horrific practice. Survivor.
S Mavi I never wanted it but was forced to and ended up with ptsd. I didn’t want that either .
I am a survivor and would never advocate this horrific treatment to anyone.
@@jeanninetrudeau7525 me too. In the UK finally a lawyer is taking on the NHS over this. Anyone affected contact Freeths of Nottingham.
have you tried zen meditation? sometimes I think the pain involved in the full lotus is kind of like an ECT!
I know that meditation is a good tool for treating depression.
I've known lots of people to go through a meditation regimen and survive depression... adult males seem to need particularly intense circumstances to reconnect (I'm talking about me D:)
I'm glad that meditation is helpful to you.
I heard from other you tuber it’s course sever memory loss and other cognitive issues ?
Most of the time the memory loss only occurs for events that occurred while you were getting the treatment. I've seen 11 people get ECT and none of them has had severe memory loss. My cognitive functions after the treatment were better because I was less depressed
Did it couse Lon term cognitive issue
Not at all.
@@DouglasBloch thanks you some videos on you tube about their experience was concerning
Douglas Bloch
how are you now?
I have been feeling better since I got the ECT treatment two years ago
Are you familiar with deep brain stimulation for depression. I would do anything for Dr. Helen Mayberg to implant probes in my brain.
I met Dr. Mayberg when she came to Portland eight years ago. She's a true pioneer and I have seen videos of her work. Are there any other practitioners that perform the same procedure?
@@DouglasBloch there are a number of people who perform the procedure, but I think it’s still in the trial phase because it failed the first-time through.
All I know for sure is that it’s not available to me, and so I’m having ECT, but I’m nervous that it’s just going to be a short term solution, if a solution at all, for Depression that won’t lift
ECT has helped many people including myself, my mother, and a number of my former clients. So I think it's worth trying if your doctor prescribes it
@@DouglasBloch so sir are u able to memorize easily or do u have memory loss please reply sir
I got 10 trestments.. Thanlks.
Did ECT affect your intellectual faculties?
Fortunately, it did not
@@DouglasBlochnot true !
You said in a previous video in 2014 you have never had ect..
That was true at that time.Then, in 2015 I suffered another depressive episode and had ECT in January of 2016.
Douglas Bloch
Do you still feel ok off it...its a possible treatment for me..id do it tomorrow
Douglas Bloch could i get in touch some how, phone?
i would like to talk with you, if you could give me the honor , even a call in show would be nice
Please use common sense. Electrical currents to the brain results into brain damage. A head injury can cause euphoric effect. Headaches, confusion, brain damage
ECT has been studied scientifically for over half a century. The literature shows at 70 to 90% success rate. My mother had five ECT treatments and had none of these symptoms. Neither have all the people I know who have gotten the treatment including myself
@@DouglasBloch Douglass your a good kind man. You stated in the video waking up confused and disoriented. Electricity to the brain is head trauma plain and simple. Confusion and headaches are tell tale signs head trauma.A head injury can initially make people euphoric. Doctors report mood improved hence therefore a success . It's insane.. I dont know Doug I like you and watch your videos. I just worry about people getting this done.
And NO Benzodiazepines.....
Help me I want it😭
Get an an evaluation from your doctor.
No you dont... you will lose your memory
ECT is obviously not a pill.
You are handsome
How does damaging the brain relieve depression?
ECT doesn’t damage the brain. My mother and many of my clients have gone through it.
I believe ect definitely does damage brain. I had ect in 1975 and can say the side effects for me were horrible.
@@DouglasBloch does it help insomnia