This past Thursday, Ryne shared with us his personal experiences with ECT. 

ECT ( electroconvulsive therapy ) is a procedure done under general anesthesia.  During this procedure, small electric currents pass through the brain, causing a brief seizure. Ryne shared that when he was in high school, and waiting for five different SSRI’s to kick in, eventually his doctors told him he was treatment resistant.  ECT is usually recommended for those who have treatment resistant depression, severe depression, bi-polar, or Catatonia. 

During an ER visit, he and his Mom met a very compassionate nurse who told them both about ECT.  At the time, some of his thoughts were that ECT was too extreme, and he was frightened of the procedure. It was at this time with the great support from his Mother and many others, that he decided to move forward and try ECT.  Ryne shared that there are two types of ECT. 

1) Bilateral ECT…this is when the current passes through both sides of your head.

2) Unilateral ECT…this is when the current only passes through one side of your head. 

Normally when someone decides to proceed with ECT, doctors will recommend the treatment three times a week, for three to four weeks.  He shared that most people don’t get a positive response from ECT until after their first three visits.

Ryne had to repeat the ECT treatments twenty four times before seeing any positive results.  He didn’t experience any pain during these treatments, and found ECT to be very effective. He said the tremendous support he had received from his Mom and others during this time also helped. 

I found this information on ECT to be very informative and helpful, as previous to Ryne’s presentation, I knew little to nothing about ECT.