Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

[MomofBPDAZ]

 My daughter (BPD/PTSD) is still struggling with suicidal thoughts and told me tonight she's considering electroshock therapy. Has anyone heard of this as an effective treatment for BPD or PTSD?

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[redroom]

Wow, what a coincidence!  I was actually, for the past year, considering this for myself.  I've been thinking about it for about 6 years now, but as my depression got a lot worse it seemed pretty appealing. 

I don't have BPD (my mom does, so I usually post on a different board), but I do have complex PTSD (from abuse growing up).  I've been told by a few doctors that it wouldn't work for me because it doesn't treat personality symptoms, and that it was really most effective for people who are experiencing their first bout (or one of their early bouts) of depression. 

Although I've been dealing w/ thoughts of death and ending it all myself, everyone tells me that therapy is what will help me more than anything.  But about a year ago the depression got so bad that I tried to hang myself and ended up in the hospital, and they were somewhat considering it (I've been on almost every medication out there) because I was too worn out from the depression to even go to therapy.  Therapy can't be much of a help if I can't make it to my appointments.   

They decided against it for me, though, because of the personality issues, but I'd like to see if it worked for anyone out there.  It is a drastic step, and I've heard from other complex PTSD sufferers that it didn't work at all for them when they did it.  But the side-effects are worth it, imo, if they keep your daughter from hurting herself.  It won't treat the BPD or PTSD, most likely, but it may get her into a state where she's better able to participate in treatment. 

But you can also be assured that even if she thinks it's the right thing to do and wants to go through with it, getting approved for it is an intensive process with lots of interviews, a physical, and other testing.  They'll want to be sure she will benefit from it, and not just do it because she wants to do it. 

[MomofBPDAZ]

Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and personal response. Your struggle sounds alot like what my daughter's been going through. She's been hospitalized 3x since Xmas because of suicidal thoughts and had started cutting herself. The last hospitalization was at a different (and I think better) facility, and the doctors there diagnosed PTSD/BPD. Before this, we thought it was depression, bi-polar or paranoid schtzophrenia. She has been "hearing voices" for years, but only recently has begun having nightmares and suicidal thoughts. Anyhow... .  Is there anything your mom could have said or done to help you? If not your mom, a friend perhaps? I feel alot closer to my daughter and am grateful she talks to me about what she's thinking and experiencing. Most of the time I feel, and I think she feels, that our conversations help. But, I always wonder if there's more I can be doing for her.

[lbjnltx]

Hello MomofBPDAZ,

So sad to read that your d is in such a poor state.  She sounds like she is wanting help and perhaps it is such a steep climb up to get to where she could benefit from therapy.

Has the diagnoses of psychotic depression been brought up before?  

Here is some information ECT



Thinking of you and your d.  

[cfh]

My niece (32) has been dx with treatment resistant bipolar and possible other dx.

She has what the family refers to as "tune ups" where she goes to McLean for ECT and it has been very effective.

At this point she is able to see when an episode is coming and she schedules it herself.

My mother back in the 60's received several rounds of ECT but it was very different back then... .  not so scary now and from what I understand very effective.

Thank goodness we've come a long way since then.

[mggt]

Hi could you please explain ect to me mcclean in boston, ma ? Do you know if this treatment is used for BPDs ? Thank you

[lbjnltx]

Hi could you please explain ect to me mcclean in boston, ma ? Do you know if this treatment is used for BPDs ? Thank you

Hi Mggt,

Click on the blue letters  "ECT" below it will take you to some information.

 

Here is some information ECT