ECT Info Requested

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Here’s the thing:

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Here’s the thing: I was first diagnosed with and hospitalized / medicated for major depression in 1993 while attending college. Since then I have been in and out of psychiatric hospitals and rehabs for alcoholism too many times to list. This past January, I survived my most devastating bout with depression so far. Although I did not actively try to kill myself, I was trying to simply fade out of light (life).

To make a long story short, I had lost about 45lbs in a couple of months without trying (in the past this would have delighted me), could not muster enough energy or desire to shower, change clothing, pay bills, take garbage out, pick-up mail or deal with food. When my family realized that, not only were their calls not returned but, I was calling out sick from work, they came to my house & let themselves in. I feel horrible now at how frightened they were when they got here. They urged me to page my psychiatrist & I was admitted back into the hospital. 3 hospitalizations later, I still cannot deal with everyday life. I am still out on disability and am attending a duel diagnosis outpatient program (for depression & alcoholism). I am extremely frustrated and have picked up the drink again. And I won't get into the gory details but I have other self-destructive tendencies too.

The last time I was hospitalized was to change my medication once again before I would relapse. I can’t stand waiting for medication to start working – medication hasn’t worked for me in a long time. While I was in the hospital a couple of doctors recommended ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) for me. My psychiatrist – of 11 years - was away at the time. I watched a video, read some material they gave me & got some feedback from nurses there who also recommended ECT. My doctor was not as encouraging as the other doctors saying that I will still have the same issues if I have ECT. But the way I see it is that I would be better able to deal with my psychological issues better if I was feeling better about myself. Make sense?

Please? Does anyone have any experience, advice, information or anything they could share with me to help me out with this decision??? One of the biggest difficulties I have with my depression is indecisiveness and confusion... My family is supportive in whatever I decide but this sounds like a scary alternative….. Please, any help out there?

[Michael Goldsberry]

I wish you luck with your struggles.

Please, any help out there?

Only one thing comes to mind in a case such as this: Pick up a Bible and start reading.

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Thank you. I do pray every night & have started to go back to church, but perhaps investing in a bible would be a better start.

[Michael Goldsberry]

With prayer and church attendance, I'd say you're off to a great start.

Reading the Bible from time to time is greatly comforting to me. It may be for you as well.

[jerseyareyououtthere]

I greatly appreciate your suggestions.
Is there any specific reading you would recommend?

And as to whomever added the keyword "drinkheavily", I feel sorry for you, that you would wish further hurt on someone when they are already at such a low point.

I can and will accept the kindness, instead, of another.

[Michael Goldsberry]

Reading the bible cover to cover is probably the best way to go, if you have the time.

For a sampling suggestion, obviously I must recommend the Gospels. Luke is my favorite, but then I'm a techno geek. I suspect John may be more to your liking.

[Michael Goldsberry]

By the way, you don't have to purchase a bible. Just click --> here.

Ecclesiastes would probably be another good choice, but still, go for John first.

[Grammy]

Another way to get a free Bible is to go to e-sword.net
It has many translations that you can compare and dictionaries and commentaries etc that are a wonderful help.

My mother in law had ECT, but that was way over 40 years ago. It helped her, but at the same time, certain portions of her memory were then missing. This was at the early stages of learning how to deal with depression.... pre many of the current medications.

God bless you. I will pray for your health.

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Thank you for your prayers.

I will keep you updated. Until then, I will be reading. Thank you for your suggestions!

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Interesting, yes...I would like my very own bible though.

A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil?
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
16 And I saw something else under the sun:
In the place of judgment— wickedness was there, in the place of justice— wickedness was there.
17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."
18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.
19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.
20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.
21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

[Michael Goldsberry]

Gospels before Ecclesiastes, please.

Or cover to cover, that works too.

Link

 13 Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
    Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the whole duty of man.

[jerseyareyououtthere]

Thank you again. My perserverance & faith are stronger tonight because of your words & encouragement. It means so much some times to know someone actually cares about your soul. Thank you. I also pray for you & your loved ones on this rainy night (in the northeast anyway!) Have a peaceful night.

[Michael Goldsberry]

Thank you.

The meaning of the word "Michael" has been shown to me.