Posted by Wendy B. on September 4, 2001, at 21:53:05
Please go over to regular Babble, and check this message from PhoenixGirl (quoted below), I think she could use some encouragement about her fears about ECT (electro-convulsive therapy). It could have been posted on either board, but if you haven't read it, she might like to hear from you all... MightyMouse wrote already, but some people don't necessarily check both Boards every day. I feel really badly for her...
Thanks, guys...
************
PhoenixGirl writes:"This is kind of long, but please read, I need help. I'd like to see what others here think about what I'm
about to do. I'm in my early 20s, and have had serious depression, social phobia, anxiety, and crippling
fatigue since I was 12. I had symptoms of these conditions, as well as moderate OCD, since my
earliest memories. See, my mom has manic depression, one of her sisters committed suicide, my dad's
father was a severe alcoholic, and my fraternal twin has had most of the same problems I do, but to a
somewhat lesser degree. Apparently, I have very bad mental health genes. My dad is very negative and
critical also, and I was picked on in school. Recently I have had permanent damage done to my vision
from Lasik surgery, which has pushed me further into depression. I have had almost no friends since
the age of 12 because of my problems and moving a lot, and have been on antidepressant drugs since
age 13. I've tried imipramine, zoloft, anafranil, effexor, serzone, trazadone, wellbutrin, celexa, remeron,
and now desipramine, with only partial relief. I've tried adding thyroid hormone, stimulants, and some
combinations thereof. I've done tons of therapy. Despite all of this, I still feel miserably depressed, I
fantasize about death, and I have no friends or intimacy with anyone. I feel like an elderly woman, and
I'm 23 years old. I've had depression for so long and it started so early, I don't even know who I am
without depression. My social phobia, and the early and chronic isolation have made it difficult for me
to have even the simplest social interactions. My doctor wants me to have ECT, which I am agreeing
to. I guess what I'm afraid of is that it won't work well, the memory problems will be too much, and/or
the positive effect won't last. If it doesn't last, I'll have to do maintenance, but I fear what that might do
to my memory. Also, ECT is very expensive, but my health insurance covers 90% of it. What if I need
maintenance ECT indefinitely? I may not always have good if any health insurance. The insurance I
have now is very good, but I hate my job and want to leave it. Our health care system in this country
really blows, hardworking people can't necessarily get what they need. Anyway, please share your
thoughts, advice, insights, or anything you might like to say to me."
poster:Wendy B.
thread:10808
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010901/msgs/10808.html