Electro-Convulsive Therapy Day 1

[21kaloma]

I am concerned when did all this start? What initially started this roundabout of treatments?

[coolshit28]

Hello just curius does ECT enable you to 'feel' and enjoy stuff again. I'm suffering from Major Depression and just wondering whether the reboot that ECT gives could help. Cheers.

[daleshankins]

@coolshit28 ECT was very helpful for me. But I know some people who did not find it useful. As always, find a doctor you can trust and use her advice rather than what you read on the internet. I wish you well. Peace.

[bikeboy2121]

Hi Dale,

I was diagnised with Major Depressive Disorder last July. I was hospitalized, placed in a day program, and given medications. After feeling better I took myself off the meds (major mistake). I repeated the cycle of going on and off of my meds 3 times this last year with the most recent time being the worst experience in my life. I am back on meds (and finally have learned my lesson to not make such decisions without consulting a doctor). Anyway I have a question for you.. next post

[bikeboy2121]

Hi Dale,

I was diagnised with Major Depressive Disorder last July. I was hospitalized, placed in a day program, and given medications. After feeling better I took myself off the meds (major mistake). I repeated the cycle of going on and off of my meds 3 times this last year with the most recent time being the worst experience in my life. I am back on meds (and finally have learned my lesson to not make such decisions without consulting a doctor). Anyway I have a question for you.. next post

[5150lovers]

Nice job!! I hope you are doing well!! :) I have never had to have ect!! But have seen many people go through it in the hospital!!

[jrockersbane]

The practice of lobotmies has been pretty much wiped out as it has show almost 0, as far as I know, help at all. A lobotomy basically just scrambles, physically, the frontal sections of the brain on the belief that the neuron will reconnect properly.

Look up information on ECT. It is better than the rap it has.

ECT is more like pressing a reboot button whereas a lobotomy is like disconnecting everything and giving it a good shake.

[adammdamann]

i know i probably sound really stupid right now, but did you get a lobotomy?

[daleshankins]

You are not stupid. But no, I did not get a lobotomy. :-)

[adammdamann]

lol okay someone said electro-convulsive therapy was same as a lobotomy.

[daleshankins]

I agree with your comments. I have not needed any ECT treatments since October of 2007, but would not hesitate in taking more if necessary.

[nutmeg169]

@daleshankins Me too

[thawks12095]

How generous of you to share your experience this way! I've heard ECT gets an undeserved "bad rap," and that it is actually quite effective. I'm facing the fact that my anti-depressant just isn't getting me where I want to be. Thanks.

[1880Jess1]

Hello,

I'm from the netherlands.

I have tried the ECT treatment,i've got 16 treatments in 2 months now,and it works for me.

I've suffered a long time in depression and it helped me.greetz Jess

[anammcb]

Hey! Great video. I watched it because I was seeking for information on ECT. I was at a psych hospital for 13 days, and my psychiatrist talk to me about his opinion on me getting ECTs. I was very scared, so I decided I was not getting them and he signed my release. However, I've been on psychotherapy and anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and they haven't help me. Im considering the ECTs, and hearing your experience with them have helped me a lot in my decision. Thanks

[daleshankins]

You are very welcome. I wish you well in your journey towards better health. Peace

[abdi1805ali]

thank you for being kind and brave

[daleshankins]

Blessings to you for noticing...most often I see in others what is within me. When I view the world with kindness I see kindness. When I view it with fear I see fear. :-)

[kelseywall]

Thanks for being courageous enough to put these videos up.

[daleshankins]

Please see V.S Ramachandran's book, A Brief Tour of Human Conciousness. FMRI studies would suggest that your comments are in error. Peace.

[GurnSi]

Please meditate upon the meaning of the word "often" as employed within my comment to which you replied.

[daleshankins]

I apologize if I misunderstood the intent of your comment. MANY people do not even believe that there is such a thing as mental illness. Thankfully our methods of diagnosis and treatment are improving rapidly as science progresses the field. Hopefully, sometime soon, we will see less fear and "fraud" in this area. Until then, I for one, will err on the side of compassion; for it was compassion shown to me that was critical to my recovery. Thank you for watching my channel. :-)

[Skiinglab26]

I have just started ect and dont know what to think of it. Everyone says I "look better" I dont know how to explain it

[daleshankins]

I generally do not begin to feel better until around the fifth or sixth session. Like you, my friends and family notice the change before I feel it inside. Good luck. I hope all goes well with you. Peace.

[ksleister]

Dale, you are very brave for telling the world your story! Bravo! I am a college student doing a research paper on ECT and your experiences and truth add to what is missing in the textbooks. I wish you the best of luck in your journey. Thank you for sharing this with me, and the world!

[daleshankins]

I am doing much better these days. Thank you. Good luck with your paper.

[Dwojy18]

You mentioned that drugs do not work, but what's your thought on medical cannabis, and/or serotogenic -amines?

[daleshankins]

What I was trying to say is that drugs did not work well for me...at least not when I am at my worst. I am not able to use cannabis anymore...but that is a long story. As for serotogenic-amines I am not sure what you are referring to. I currently take a very small amout of an MAO inhibitor that seems to be working well.

[wall875]

I must say, Dale, that the above video is visually stunning. It worries me that you seem to be slurring your words. Was this video done just after a treatment? What did it feel like? Did you ever read the BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath? Also, don't know why I'm curious or how this may relate, but what sort of work do you do? You seem to be a doctor or an intellectual. Scientist, perhaps? Thank you.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for watching. The video was made after the first of a series of treatments. I usually am groggy after the first couple and then the treatments are not much of a problem for me. I don't feel anything during the treatments - I get a headache and some muscle pain after the first one or two but this goes away with later treatments. I have not read the Bell Jar. I am not a scientist but I love science. I am a writer. Thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment. Peace.

[byff69]

ECT has had _demonstrable_ benefit in fighting depression. "Nothing scientific" about it? What about the thousands of suicidal patients who are still with us because they underwent it?

[psychpatient101]

Dale do you realize how much electricity is being sent through your brain? You know dale if they moved those electrodes off your head and placed them on your body, it could kill you. Almost a full amp- No problem killing a human at the voltage they use. Your brain actually bleeds dale.

[psychpatient101]

I want to point out to0, there is nothing scientific about shock treatmant. This is what it boils down to Dale, ELECTRICY DAMAGING YOUR BRAIN TO SUPRRESS YOU. I had the Shock treatmants and they did not help at all. As they don't the Majority of people duped into getting them.

[daleshankins]

Thank you for your concern but they do help me.

[Bonigee]

A member of my family has gone through what you have. I can relate with you and I'm very interested in your progress. I will look at your other videos concerning this subject.. Bless you.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for watching. ECT is not nearly as traumatic as most people think.

[Brianj1234]

Good luck with it, man.

[daleshankins]

Thanks.

[thegreatgazoo65]

Good luck. I'd be praying for you if I wasn't an athiest.

[daleshankins]

lol  Thanks. No prayers needed...just skilled doctors.

[pdoeman]

Hi Dale. Great to see you back. I've missed your vids and was intending to PM you to see how you are.

I had a friend that had a lot of ECD, she was a bit spaced out for a few days after but it did help ease her symptoms.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for thinking of me. I had my first treatment in this series. Groggy, achy but survived it okay.

[21kaloma]

I am concerned when did all this start? What initially started this roundabout of treatments?

[coolshit28]

Hello just curius does ECT enable you to 'feel' and enjoy stuff again. I'm suffering from Major Depression and just wondering whether the reboot that ECT gives could help. Cheers.

[daleshankins]

@coolshit28 ECT was very helpful for me. But I know some people who did not find it useful. As always, find a doctor you can trust and use her advice rather than what you read on the internet. I wish you well. Peace.

[bikeboy2121]

Hi Dale,

I was diagnised with Major Depressive Disorder last July. I was hospitalized, placed in a day program, and given medications. After feeling better I took myself off the meds (major mistake). I repeated the cycle of going on and off of my meds 3 times this last year with the most recent time being the worst experience in my life. I am back on meds (and finally have learned my lesson to not make such decisions without consulting a doctor). Anyway I have a question for you.. next post

[bikeboy2121]

Hi Dale,

I was diagnised with Major Depressive Disorder last July. I was hospitalized, placed in a day program, and given medications. After feeling better I took myself off the meds (major mistake). I repeated the cycle of going on and off of my meds 3 times this last year with the most recent time being the worst experience in my life. I am back on meds (and finally have learned my lesson to not make such decisions without consulting a doctor). Anyway I have a question for you.. next post

[5150lovers]

Nice job!! I hope you are doing well!! :) I have never had to have ect!! But have seen many people go through it in the hospital!!

[jrockersbane]

The practice of lobotmies has been pretty much wiped out as it has show almost 0, as far as I know, help at all. A lobotomy basically just scrambles, physically, the frontal sections of the brain on the belief that the neuron will reconnect properly.

Look up information on ECT. It is better than the rap it has.

ECT is more like pressing a reboot button whereas a lobotomy is like disconnecting everything and giving it a good shake.

[adammdamann]

i know i probably sound really stupid right now, but did you get a lobotomy?

[daleshankins]

You are not stupid. But no, I did not get a lobotomy. :-)

[adammdamann]

lol okay someone said electro-convulsive therapy was same as a lobotomy.

[daleshankins]

I agree with your comments. I have not needed any ECT treatments since October of 2007, but would not hesitate in taking more if necessary.

[nutmeg169]

@daleshankins Me too

[thawks12095]

How generous of you to share your experience this way! I've heard ECT gets an undeserved "bad rap," and that it is actually quite effective. I'm facing the fact that my anti-depressant just isn't getting me where I want to be. Thanks.

[1880Jess1]

Hello,

I'm from the netherlands.

I have tried the ECT treatment,i've got 16 treatments in 2 months now,and it works for me.

I've suffered a long time in depression and it helped me.greetz Jess

[anammcb]

Hey! Great video. I watched it because I was seeking for information on ECT. I was at a psych hospital for 13 days, and my psychiatrist talk to me about his opinion on me getting ECTs. I was very scared, so I decided I was not getting them and he signed my release. However, I've been on psychotherapy and anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and they haven't help me. Im considering the ECTs, and hearing your experience with them have helped me a lot in my decision. Thanks

[daleshankins]

You are very welcome. I wish you well in your journey towards better health. Peace

[abdi1805ali]

thank you for being kind and brave

[daleshankins]

Blessings to you for noticing...most often I see in others what is within me. When I view the world with kindness I see kindness. When I view it with fear I see fear. :-)

[kelseywall]

Thanks for being courageous enough to put these videos up.

[daleshankins]

Please see V.S Ramachandran's book, A Brief Tour of Human Conciousness. FMRI studies would suggest that your comments are in error. Peace.

[GurnSi]

Please meditate upon the meaning of the word "often" as employed within my comment to which you replied.

[daleshankins]

I apologize if I misunderstood the intent of your comment. MANY people do not even believe that there is such a thing as mental illness. Thankfully our methods of diagnosis and treatment are improving rapidly as science progresses the field. Hopefully, sometime soon, we will see less fear and "fraud" in this area. Until then, I for one, will err on the side of compassion; for it was compassion shown to me that was critical to my recovery. Thank you for watching my channel. :-)

[Skiinglab26]

I have just started ect and dont know what to think of it. Everyone says I "look better" I dont know how to explain it

[daleshankins]

I generally do not begin to feel better until around the fifth or sixth session. Like you, my friends and family notice the change before I feel it inside. Good luck. I hope all goes well with you. Peace.

[ksleister]

Dale, you are very brave for telling the world your story! Bravo! I am a college student doing a research paper on ECT and your experiences and truth add to what is missing in the textbooks. I wish you the best of luck in your journey. Thank you for sharing this with me, and the world!

[daleshankins]

I am doing much better these days. Thank you. Good luck with your paper.

[Dwojy18]

You mentioned that drugs do not work, but what's your thought on medical cannabis, and/or serotogenic -amines?

[daleshankins]

What I was trying to say is that drugs did not work well for me...at least not when I am at my worst. I am not able to use cannabis anymore...but that is a long story. As for serotogenic-amines I am not sure what you are referring to. I currently take a very small amout of an MAO inhibitor that seems to be working well.

[wall875]

I must say, Dale, that the above video is visually stunning. It worries me that you seem to be slurring your words. Was this video done just after a treatment? What did it feel like? Did you ever read the BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath? Also, don't know why I'm curious or how this may relate, but what sort of work do you do? You seem to be a doctor or an intellectual. Scientist, perhaps? Thank you.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for watching. The video was made after the first of a series of treatments. I usually am groggy after the first couple and then the treatments are not much of a problem for me. I don't feel anything during the treatments - I get a headache and some muscle pain after the first one or two but this goes away with later treatments. I have not read the Bell Jar. I am not a scientist but I love science. I am a writer. Thanks again for watching and taking the time to comment. Peace.

[byff69]

ECT has had _demonstrable_ benefit in fighting depression. "Nothing scientific" about it? What about the thousands of suicidal patients who are still with us because they underwent it?

[psychpatient101]

Dale do you realize how much electricity is being sent through your brain? You know dale if they moved those electrodes off your head and placed them on your body, it could kill you. Almost a full amp- No problem killing a human at the voltage they use. Your brain actually bleeds dale.

[psychpatient101]

I want to point out to0, there is nothing scientific about shock treatmant. This is what it boils down to Dale, ELECTRICY DAMAGING YOUR BRAIN TO SUPRRESS YOU. I had the Shock treatmants and they did not help at all. As they don't the Majority of people duped into getting them.

[daleshankins]

Thank you for your concern but they do help me.

[Bonigee]

A member of my family has gone through what you have. I can relate with you and I'm very interested in your progress. I will look at your other videos concerning this subject.. Bless you.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for watching. ECT is not nearly as traumatic as most people think.

[Brianj1234]

Good luck with it, man.

[daleshankins]

Thanks.

[thegreatgazoo65]

Good luck. I'd be praying for you if I wasn't an athiest.

[daleshankins]

lol Thanks. No prayers needed...just skilled doctors.

[pdoeman]

Hi Dale. Great to see you back. I've missed your vids and was intending to PM you to see how you are.

I had a friend that had a lot of ECD, she was a bit spaced out for a few days after but it did help ease her symptoms.

[daleshankins]

Thanks for thinking of me. I had my first treatment in this series. Groggy, achy but survived it okay.

[stopdroppingbombs]

ECT, always strikes fear in my heart! Just the sound of it. I'm in the process of being diagnosed, looking down the barrel at meds and horror stories! You're a brave guy Dale, hope it all goes well.

Peace X

[daleshankins]

Thanks. Good luck in getting help. For me the key is finding doctors I can trust. ECT has done me far less harm than the medications. ECT works and is relatively painless - at least in my experience. But I OFFER NO ADVICE on psychiatric matters. Too many people do that. I think everyone must find their own path. Thanks again for watching.

[daleshankins]

Thanks. Good luck in getting help. For me the key is finding doctors I can trust. ECT has done me far less harm than the medications. ECT works and is relatively painless - at least in my experience. But I OFFER NO ADVICE on psychiatric matters. Too many people do that. I think everyone must find their own path. Thanks again for watching.

[GitaLV]

Wow, you had thirty ECTs. Are there any side effects to the treatments, because it sounds rather severe. I'll be watching the upcoming videos as it will give some insight into the whole subject, and like your other subscribers, I'll be thinking you during your treatments. Take care!

[daleshankins]

After the first treatment in a series I am groggy and feel achy. By the next day the side effects usually disappear. Some people experience memory loss. My memory has always been poor - so I cannot judge this. The treatments have always worked for me. Drugs do not work for me. Thanks again for watching.

[bubonicnate]

gluck - your bravery is amazing imo!

[daleshankins]

Thank you for your kind thought. I am not sure it is bravery - I don't really have much of a choice. I can take no action and end up in the hospital again or I can get ECT. ECT seems more reasonable to me at this time. Thanks again for your response.

[indulf]

When are you going back to India? Exercise, adventure and altruism can be good for the soul.

[daleshankins]

I don't know when I will return to India. I swim 1-2 miles three or four times a week. I work at Uptown Bill's Small Mall (a non-profit for people with disabilities and mental illness). I still need ECT.

[daleshankins]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

[daleshankins]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

[premed411]

Wishing you luck (as instructed).

[daleshankins]

I am glad you are so obedient. :-)

[squitmaa]

I hope you feel better soon.

[daleshankins]

Thank you.