[Guest]

Dr.,

I saw a special on Discovery Channel about ECT and have a question. The show made it sound like ECT attempts to "reboot" the brain, in the hopes that transmissions which occur through electrical currents will go back to normal, relieving the depression My questions are:

1. Is that an oversimplified explanation, or is that really the fundamentals of how it is theorized to work?

2. It seemed very much hit or miss in the show, how effective is it really and how safe?

3. It works for Depression and Schizophrenia (?), but not other mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, any theories no the reasons? They are bacically treated in the same manner as depression with the exception of ECT

Thanks as always, ever since I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, these types of things fascinate and frighten me (we seem to know so precious little about this vital organ, sometimes I wonder if maybe we know just enough to be dangerous).

[Guest]

1) No one is sure how ECT works. It effects and "normalizes" many transmitter systems so it is unclear which are cahsutive. In severe depression, many of the brain's functions still occur but are uncoupled with each other and out of synch. This includes hormone releases and other factors. This too normalizes after ECT. Many people think that this is the egg and talk of rebooting as the causitive factor. On the other hand, it may be a reflection of more fundamental changes.

2) Over all, it is quite safe. It is the most effective treatment for certain types of depression. On the other hand, if used for disorders where it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

3) Not a clue. Again, this is a "why" question. We are really not advaced enough to make pronoucements on "why" questions about the brain.
[quote] Dr. ,

I saw a special on Discovery Channel about ECT and have a question... [/quote]

[EternityX]

Hiya,

When I went in for ECT they told me similar to the other poster - that its like "rebooting your brain". But I would warn you if you are having it for depression (or anything really), they will NOT give you ECT if you aren't totally incapacitated. If you have a job, if you can eat, if you can pay bills, you will not get ECT. They classify that as being "too functional" to give ECT to. They will only give it to you if you are not eating, not sleeping, walking around like a zombie, or in a comotose-like state. So never mind if you are cutting your wrists, talking about death a lot, had suicide attempts, etc.. no ECT for you!

Pretty sad, really.


EternityX