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Posted on: Tue, Aug 12 2008 11:24 PM

Posted by: bvfrenchknitter Posts: 3

Hi Paul,

I am also Bipolar, Type 1, mixed right now.  I can't speak about ECT myself but a housemate of mine has struggled with major depressin for years, including suicide attempts.  She has had ECT done and it has really helped her a lot.  She is now stable with meds, no longer suicidal.  Her memory got a little foggy for a while but I think most of it has come back.  

I've never had to consider ECT, I am still trying drugs.  I've had a depression diagnosis for years but didn't have much success with antidepressants.  More recently I had a bad mixed episode and now have a BP diagnosis.

 good luck!

Joan

Posted on: Wed, Aug 13 2008 12:16 AM

Posted by: DSB Posts: 767

 Hi Paul a couple things struck me sort of close to home. First being a single father, I've been there and done that long before such things were known to be done by men. Second I have a good friend that now is rasing his kids alone. This my friend is a huge adjestment and raising children dose take it full time which as my friend now understands excludes him from many of the activities he was used to doing like hanging out with co-workers after work, ah going fishing and just about any activity most men like. Mind you I go out of my way for my buddy including making sure it's a kid friendly place we meet for lunch and or maybe a beer or two. So consider that in your moods I know you love the kids but you do also need a break now and then so always take a bit of time for you. Yeah I know how hard that is and how guilty it can make a man feel but it does not remove the love you have for the kids so love your self as much.

So you wonder if there is any man out here ever done what you have done the anser is yes and that was back in the late 70's into the 1980's. Everything turned out fine he's a dad now calls me up tells me now I understand dad and I laugh. Post me any time and yes I took anti depressants a number of years as a single father and BTW I'm older now and I am still growing up.

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 4:37 AM

Posted by: Debbie Posts: 3,829

hi paul, it is nice to meet you and welcome. 

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 7:10 AM

Posted by: shellGVchick Posts: 1,261

Welcome to Disaboom Paul, glad to have you with us.

Posted on: Fri, Oct 3 2008 5:27 AM

Posted by: poetdowns Posts: 40

Salut,

If you're seriously considering ECT, i highly suggest you visit "ect.org". I think about it a lot for my own self so (as is my wont) i've researched it quite thoroughly. The site i mentioned is the best single resource i know. 

I can tell you this much, as a quick bottom line: No one can predict what the side effects will be for you personally; they're just unpredictable.

anon,

Poet