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Post by priyanka on Jan 26, 2017 23:07:55 GMT -4
ECT is a great last resort/ refractory option and it seems to have yielded successful results however because of the stigma surrounding mental health it is depicted in a very crude way. I believe overtime there will be more focus on mental health awareness as many are suffering silently and perhaps this will make ECT appear less horrifying. Although it is a very terrifying experience, it’s amazing to see how effective it has been for patients in this article. This will hopefully help others who are battling with the decision to undergo ECT. It’s without a doubt that ECT is a scary experience, especially with the possibility of having memory loss however many state it does not come close to the terrifying thoughts racing through their mind of ending their lives. I believe that is a great option for those who have exhausted all their options.
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Rachel Natasha V. (Extern)
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Post by Rachel Natasha V. (Extern) on Jan 27, 2017 0:57:25 GMT -4
It is a privilege to live in a time where people are actually coming forward and sharing their success stories, with regard to mental health. However, it is still not uncommon to see people deny even the smallest doses of psychiatric medications, leave alone ECT. We live in an age where the general public is not averse to getting cosmetic procedures done; for example, going under the knife to correct an already perfect nose, or undergoing laser surgeries to correct refractory errors in their eyes. A mental illness can be debilitating. We have all seen that (either first-hand or second-hand). From the 'taboo' that ECT used to be in the 60's and 70's, we've come a long way. We still haven't reached a point where the lay-man is entirely comfortable talking about a mental illness, though. The outset of newer therapeutic methods such as dTMS and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), is proof that psychiatry has only just passed on from it's 'foetal' stage to it's stages of 'infancy' . I hope to be part of a time where people are as vocal about going in for an ECT/TMS as they are about going in for 'lip fillers.' Hollywood has a huge impact, through it's movies/actors. I cannot wait for an era where role-models advocate the importance of mental health.
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Post by Olivia Onwodi on Jan 27, 2017 7:35:15 GMT -4
These reports paint a clear picture of the benefits and risks of Electroconvulsive Therapy. Before reading these personal experiences and watching a real Electroconvulsive Therapy in action, I would have probably chosen to live with a mental health, if I had one. I was one of those people influenced with Hollywood and their foul portrayal of something they know nothing of. Even as a medical student who should be up to date with most, if not all, medical treatment, this is probably the truest knowledge I am receiving about ECT. I’m glad that reports like this give ETC the well deserved credit. With such few and minor side effects in comparison to the first line treatments for mental illnesses, I will not be surprised when ECT takes over as the choice of treatment.
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Post by Kiara Swanier on Jan 27, 2017 11:21:52 GMT -4
Electroconvulsive therapy is usually reserved for patients with severe depression, among other mental illnesses, who do not respond well to traditional pharmacological treatment. It is usually perceived negatively in the media due to the way it is performed and the possible side effects (retrograde amnesia, impaired thinking, and headaches) that can occur from it. However, electroconvulsive therapy is a very safe and effective procedure with many success stories. I like this article because of the way one patient conveys how ECT was successful for her. I believe that is important to hear the success stories and clear the misconception and stigma that ECT is only painful and harmful for other patients who may be considering it.
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Post by tamunobelema on Jan 27, 2017 22:24:48 GMT -4
ECT,although second line of treatment for most mental health issues,it is interesting to know how much of improvement was made on health of this patient that had suffered from bipolar bearing in mind the side effects that comes with use of ECT i.e disorientation and retrogade amnesia etc i think its advantage outweighs its adverse effects and should be considered more often in mental health management and treatment.
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Chaminda Dissanayake, MS3
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Post by Chaminda Dissanayake, MS3 on Jan 30, 2017 13:41:29 GMT -4
I am happy to see that there are patients who are brave enough to speak so openly not only the long-held misconceptions of ECT, but also in such detail about the logistics of the procedure. Even before scrolling down and seeing the references to 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', what naturally came to mind was the scene from the movie. Of course I have become quite cognizant through my medical studies of the fact that the movie, and the book it was based on, are just that; fiction and dramatization. It is promising to patient who have treatment-refractory depression to know that ECT is an available treatment option which is much, much more humane than expected. I liked how the female patient even compared her treatment to the scene in the movie. I hope that further research is done in ECT and also in TMS so that patients who previously felt like they were losing hope can see that help is still available if the medications do not seem to provide the therapy which they are so desperately in need of.
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Post by Megan McNichols on Jan 30, 2017 23:19:21 GMT -4
I admit that until starting my medical education I viewed ECT as more of a torture method rather than a treatment intended to heal. I first learned about ECT during a resident’s lecture during my pediatric rotation. I was astonished to hear that it was widely used and even more so surprised that it would be considered in a pediatric population. Since well-known people have come out and started the discussion about mental illness I believe that lay people have been more open to discussing their struggles with mental health. We have begun to move away from dramatized, inaccurate representations such as the one in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and towards a more truthful picture of mental health. I look forward to the new research into treatments for depression and other psychiatric disorders such as improved ECT therapy and TMS.
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Post by Nupur Mishra on Feb 3, 2017 9:09:25 GMT -4
This was a much-needed read. It was interesting to hear about Bipolar disorder from a first point person view. In light of the worst consequence of suicide, ECT doesn’t seem like a bad option at all. This is something that must be discussed and impressed upon family members and support group that may be hesitant or afraid when they hear their loved ones going through such an intense process. The loss of memory can be debilitating side effect, and cost vs. benefit must be assessed thoroughly. However, given the good results, and positive patient review, as shown in this article, I am more hopeful that the stigma and fear against ECT may be removed. I also appreciated the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder more. One interesting thing that this article highlighted was that the psychiatric patients that are living or staying side by side might be affected by each other as well. I wonder if this has good or bad prognosis.
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Post by tanishajerrick on Feb 6, 2017 22:34:09 GMT -4
It is great to see patients and well known persons speak out concerning their psychiatric conditions and how it has affect their life. Reading about their success stories gives medical providers the comfort and better understanding of caring for patients with those medical conditions. The use of ECT as an alternative treatment in the psychiatric field is quite acceptable but the way it is presented to the public may render the differences and opinions about starting such treatment. The process seems painless and unharmful, however,the possible side effects of memory loss and imaired thinking can change someone's mind. But if we think of it, the patients age, and current role in society should be considered. If the benefits of ECT outweighs the risks then it is better to complete the treatment as it prevents the recurrence of manic episodes. More success stories from patients and celebrities should be encouraged.
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Post by ianjvalmont on Feb 8, 2017 10:22:17 GMT -4
I know a lot of people's negative reaction to hearing about ECT stems from the movie mentioned, but I've personally never seen the film. I had a class in undergrad, your typical psych 101 class, where it was pretty heavily demonized. I feel like the professor's heart was in the right place, but he was very anti-medication and thought ECT was barbarism. We watched a documentary that followed "survivors" of ECT at a charity/raising awareness event as they each took the stage to discuss how negatively their life had been impacted by having it done. Of course, I was never exposed to the science of it outside of a few adverse effects like memory loss. It would be interesting to watch the same documentary today given what I know now. If I end up tracking down the name of it, I'll make sure to post it.
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Post by Kennedy Uzoho (MS3) AISM on Feb 13, 2017 13:18:55 GMT -4
Honestly i love an experience whereby a set of scientists come up with a faster and easier way for curing a neurological disorder.It is worth a shot,it is worth giving a try,but in my honest opinion,i do recommend that patients should limit the way in which they get ECT because of the adverse side effect associated with it which is AMNESIA.However the therapy has been shown to be the second best line of treatment for all forms of Depression and Mania,etc.This should also show a great significance in USA because it will statistically decrease the percentage of people who are constantly on depression and it will drastically decrease the chances of having suicideal or homicidal ideations.The brain is the most sensitive organ which we use everyday for information processing we cannot afford to put it in danger of distress but thanks to ECT,an electronic regimen for that disaster.But the most important thing is knowing that for every type of beneficial treatment,there is always a disadvantage and so we limit the way and manner in which we utilize those forms of treatment.
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amber
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Post by amber on Feb 15, 2017 11:11:48 GMT -4
Well, the thought of inducing seizure-like activity can be quite terrifying for anyone. The benefits definitely outweigh the fear. The empirical stories alone from patients I have interviewed here at PACT coupled with my brief research is enough to make me want to highly recommend it. This treatment has been around since the 1930's, before we even knew how to best use it, this adds to the apprehension. The remission rate is 70-90% compared with 20-30% on medication alone. That just amazing. simple. Everything has its side effects and i believe more should be done to highlight the positives of this treatment, unlike what pop-culture portrays in movies that mainly emphasize seizures and memory loss
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Pranjali Dakwale (MS4)
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Post by Pranjali Dakwale (MS4) on Feb 17, 2017 1:32:22 GMT -4
I believe ECT is a good option as a last resort since it has yielded successful results for numerous patients in the past. Although there are many individuals stepping forward and seeking treatment for their psychiatric conditions, there continues to remain a stigma associated with mental health in the society that we live in today causing ECT to be depicted in negative way. Although ECT is an intense procedure with side effects such as memory loss, the benefits of obtaining this treatment remain high for many individuals. Ultimately, it can lead to a better life for individuals whose illness is not managed well with medications alone.
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Post by Andrew Johar on Feb 17, 2017 1:51:33 GMT -4
While we as prospective physicians realize the benefits of electroshock therapy as a very viable treatment modality but the actual after effects are the things that only the patients that go through it understand completely. The scary portion of this procedure is that we are medically, through the use of electricity, inducing a seizure. While being harsh and the complications beings at times severe it is still one of the best therapies that can be used for mental illnesses. Those that have to undergo such treatment should be counseled extensively about the risks and as future physicians we should open and honest about the effects and be as supportive as possible as to the patients wishes.
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Post by kaylazodle on Feb 21, 2017 14:59:16 GMT -4
I found this article very interesting and enlightening. However, generally I think that the idea of ECT has negative stigma and may even seem “taboo” to some people. This rhetoric, I believe, is as a result of Hollywood’s portrayal of mental illness and the portrayal of ECT as a barbaric and brutal procedure.
Statistically, ECT therapy has 75-83% success rate, however, most of the ECT stories are not publicized. These success stories should be broadcasted in order to eliminate misconceptions of ECT and validate the efficacy of this procedure in treatment resistant bipolar cases.
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