Dec 10 2008
Mental Health Humor: I’m Shocked! Electroconvulsive therapy E.C.T.
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Mental Health Humor:
I’m Shocked! Electroconvulsive therapy E.C.T.
Caption: Well at least we save on the electric bill!
Title:
Helpful Side Effects of E.C.T
I’ve been hard pressed to find many positive life stories about E.C.T ( electroconvulsive therapy)… On the contrary, I only heard negative experiences. I know most of us still might be envisioning the old Hollywood image of a dark laboratory with lighting flashing in the back. But here is an experience I found today while researching for the cartoon.
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. After an extended debilitating depression with treatments including counseling, hospitalization and drug therapy my caretakers suggested I consider ECT. I was SHOCKED (pun intended)! I had no idea they did that to human beings any more!!!
I was educated on the process and the risks and then allowed to make my own decesion. As I could not live any longer in the condition I was in, I chose ECT. Maybe my doctor and staff are just miracle workers, geniuses, or God’s answer to ECT but after 22 treatments I am ME again! I have been well and back to work living happily as I once did for over a year since my last treatment. ECT and Doctor Steven Warnell saved my life and I will be forever grateful. www.ect.org
I know a few people here who have had E.C.T or know someone that has, care to share your experience?
Dr. Bob Bob, Meds, Suicide, Bipolar, Chato, Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Mixed Bag,
Thanks for dropping by:
Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com
“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.”
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I sure hope this gets through!! I loved your cartoon depicting someone who has had the experience of ECT….to be perfectly honest, I didn’t like the treatments at all; in fact it seemed the more I got the more fearful I became…BUT after all that and a few adjustments to my meds I’ve been fine! They do work eve though the idea seems barbaric….!
Looks like my comments didn’t make it through, so I’ll try again…I loved your cartoon depicting someone who has experienced ECT; really cute…I had a few series of them and even though I was terrified of them and felt like crap afterwards I still have to say they do work! I’ve been well for nearly a year…that’s the part that matters most…staying well (and not having to go back for anymore….they wanted me to have maintenance ECT once a month but I turned them down…no thank you!!!!! ;( I’d hate to have to look forward to that every month!!!!!
I’m BACK!!!! My computer was having serious problems so I couldn’t access you….I missed dropping by every day; computer seems to be working better now…..I couldn’t stay away for long!!!
Hey E-mouse Glad to have you back… The was the cartoon I wanted you to see first before I posted it… It kind of uses the idea you gave me about a person started a dead car battery by touching… But drawing that out just did not translate… Just so you know, I seem to be getting all you comments, but if you post one and it does not show up right away just give it a sec or two… then if you don’t see it e-mail me at: info(at)mentalhealthhumor(dot)com
I have had ECT sessions at two different times, nearly 1-1/2 years apart. They were fairly simple and, other than the memory loss (mine was pretty significant, especially long term) it was painless and helped me tremendously. It is interesting how you swear that after the treatments, during that day that you’ll remember everything, but when the next day rolls around, at least with me,it was pretty much a blank slate. I liken it to “jump starting” your brain. I almost shy away from saying it, but I rather enjoyed them.
I think ECT has been shown so many times in movies and tv serials that I dont think of it as something negative. It always seems to help the patient and is done as a last resort.
@LVS: movies and tv show people get strapped down and against their will and a mid-evil manner and jilted over and over again. It is some what destrubing… The fact are that for the good it might have there is so much that can really me a person up… But I do keep my options open.