Dr Oz: Electro Convulsive Therapy for Susan
On today’s show, Doctor Oz took you behind the scenes to show you how an actual ECT or Electro Convulsive Therapy procedure was done.
In her thirties, Susan had a nervous breakdown after the birth of her daughter. She was diagnosed as bi-polar and put on medications.
Dr Oz Electro Convulsive Therapy
She had electroshock therapy over 40 years ago and in conjunction with the medications, she seemed to have her depression under control—until last summer. Her daughter, Jamie, now older, witnessed her mom’s downward spiral. Susan decided on ECT but this time, she was the one who asked for it. On today’s episode, Dr Oz was taking you behind the scenes for Susan’s 19th procedure. ,
Dr Oz showed Susan being wheeled into the treatment room, where they monitored her heart rate and blood pressure. Susan received a short acting anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Her, doctor, Dr. Roberto Estrada, MD, inserted a mouth guard into Susan’s mouth. Dr. Estrada placed the ECT probe on the temple and the top of her head. Susan received 3-6 seconds of stimulation and then had 15-90 seconds of seizures.
Dr Oz: Depression Treatment
Susan stated that she never felt or saw what was happening. She had ECT in 1968 and 1970 and it was “nothing like this.” Susan stated that it was quick and she wasn’t scared at all. Her recovery time was brief, in fact, she was ready to leave the hospital as soon as she woke up.
Jamie, Susan’s daughter, stated that her relationship with her mom was much better and stronger. She was happy to have her mother back and felt the procedure was “life altering.”
Dr Oz mentioned that his goal was not to necessarily promote any one procedure. He just wanted to keep the conversation going so people had alternatives and could make their own decisions.
Would you consider doing an Electro Compulsive Therapy treatment for severe depression?
nick says
I will never watch dr.oz again! For him to promote ect on his show is distgusting one needs to look up how horrid this procedure is…
Rose Worley says
Are you kidding? Take a chance on blowing your mind completely? I heard stories while growing up that were relating to husbands when they chose to have their menopausal wives put thru this sort of torture.Of course I only heard thru whispered conversations between the adults…What rot.
susie maurer says
My daughter is 32 years old and has been diagnosed with severe depression since she was 15 years old. Currently, no anti-depressants work. So, she underwent 15 ect’s this fall. Unfortunately, they did nothing. She is living with me. I don’t know what to do now. She is not taking anti-depressants . Where do we go next?
Thank you,
Susanne Maurer
Nancy Holstad says
Contrary to negative comments above, ECT has ABSOLUTELY given me my Life back and I would highly recommend this very humane treatment to anyone who cannot tolerate anti-depressants (me and 50% of all people, according to my wonderful Dr.). Anti-depressants are dolled out like candy these days and, speaking for myself, they made my genetic MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) much worse. Thanks to ECT (I had my 29th treatment last week), I’m able to enjoy Life, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’m able to work again and I’m incredibly GRATEFUL to be Vertical. Life is a gift and ECT has allowed me to enjoy it to the fullest — once again.
ECT Fan in SoCal,
Nancy Holstad
Joyce Spangler says
It worked for me.I had 13 treatments.I was able to function again.