| If your depression is severe, and if drug treatment and | | | | of the time for at least two years, and if you also |
| psychotherapy don't seem to be working, your doctor | | | | suffer from two or more of the following symptoms. |
| may suggest electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The | | | | * |
| treatment, which involves delivering a brief electrical | | | | Poor appetite or overeating. |
| current to the brain, is seen as a life-saving therapy for | | | | * |
| those whose depressions are so severe that they | | | | Inability to sleep or oversleeping; |
| stop eating or contemplate suicide. Unfortunately, many | | | | * |
| people are intimidated by the idea of ECT, once | | | | Low energy or fatigue. |
| popularly known as "shock therapy." This is partly due | | | | * |
| to the gruesome images portrayed in movies, and | | | | Low self-esteem. |
| partly because in the past, ECT was sometimes used | | | | * |
| inappropriately for example, on people with personality | | | | Poor concentration or trouble making decisions. |
| disorders rather than depression. | | | | * |
| If you have to undergo ECT, you should know exactly | | | | Feelings of hopelessness. |
| what will happen. The procedure is done in hospital or | | | | This mood disorder tends to show up early in life, but |
| at a special clinic, sometimes on an out-patient basis, | | | | it's not uncommon for it to begin in the later years. |
| and usually involves a total of six to twelve sessions, | | | | Many older people who experience major depression |
| two or three times per week. You will be given a | | | | may also suffer from underlying dysthymia. |
| muscle relaxant and a short-acting anesthetic prior to | | | | People with dysthymia often appear resigned to their |
| treatment. While you're unconscious, a quick, painless | | | | situation, saying "That's just how I am" or 'Tve always |
| burst of electricity is delivered via electrodes attached | | | | been this way." Older adults who suffer from this |
| to your head. You may feel some what groggy | | | | disorder may not mention the problem to their doctors |
| afterward, so you should always have someone | | | | unless asked. Like other types of depressive illness, |
| accompany you. You may experience a brief period | | | | dysthymia seems to run in families, and it's also more |
| of mental confusion or memory loss after several | | | | common in people with a family history of major |
| treatments, but this is usually temporary. Some people | | | | depression. Dysthymia may respond to treatment with |
| who have undergone ECT have reported more | | | | antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. |
| profound and long-lasting memory loss. However, | | | | Learn about some of the mental problems which |
| doctors say it's not clear whether this is related to the | | | | disturb your mental balance and may cause diseases |
| treatment or the underlying depression it self. | | | | like depression and anxiety. You should have a look at |
| Dysthymia | | | | some of the natures remedies available as they prove |
| A diagnosis of dysthymia may be made if you | | | | to be quite helpful in relieving mental tension. |
| experience a chronically depressed or low mood most | | | | |