Angela,
“New Scientist” had an article about a month ago which gave real hope for a drug treatment cure. It involved a discovery that a balanced dose of the well known neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin gave positive results.
A close family member has suffered from chronic depression in recent years. What is hardest for her is trusting that God is patient and forgiving when she fails to live up to His standards. The difference between this relative and myself is that when I fail, as we all do frequently, I know that God graciously lets me try again, and rest on that fact, and try not to let my failure bug me too much knowing He is helping me. While she, on the other hand, though as Christian as myself, can’t internalise that very well - although it’s head knowledge for both of us.
A thought. She may be glad to talk to you if what she has to share helps others...let me know if you think it might be useful to ask her some questions, and if so we might see if she can give you some insights…
Hi Angela.
That site looks very helpful, but I see it has the usual glowing endorsement of ECT.
In my opinion, having lived with someone who has had ECT for suicidal depression over a period of 20 years, repeated treatments eventually have drastic effects on long-term memory, not just the short-term.
My family member has lost memory and with this, ability to do things formerly enjoyed. This has included memory of how to do some tasks, and also memory of the detail of this person’s life.
This person used to be able to perform quite intricate tasks that are now no longer possible.
If it were true that ECT took away the suicidal feelings, I might accept that the loss of function was worthwhile, but it only seemed to have a temporary beneficial effect on mood.
I realise that my experience of this is not scientific, and that the loss of fucntion could also be partly due to lack of motivation and maybe long-term use of psychiatric medication.
I know it is heart breaking. I’ve found that severe long term/chronic illness and the medical treatment involved often leaves its mark. And not just on the patient, the carer is often affected too.
I’m not here to defend ECT. Some of my friends with schizophrenia had regular treatments of ECT in the 70s with little benefit. It is my understanding that ECT fell out of favour for a time in the second half of last century.
Other people I know with severe, life threatening depression have benefitted enormously from it. They have been able to get on with the business of living rather than be incapacitated by their death wish.
As with many treatments there are risks involved. Unfortunately patients are not always told of the risks (short & long-term) and sometimes the medical profession doesn’t know all the risks anyway. My medication has worsened my rhinititis. It sounds rather minor in the light of what you shared. I’m not making light of the affects, some of which are profound and comprehensive.
All this talk of the limited help that medical intervention offers, which is better than I suppose makes me long all the more for heaven. God’s promise of the new creation holds out so much hope and joy for mel. And that hope cannot be diminsihed even if, at times, it seems to loose its brightness, relevance and importance. Thank God our Christian hope and joy is in Christ and not in us or this world.
Hi Angela.
I know you understand that I wasn’t thinking that by telling us about a website, you were endorsing every jot and tittle of it!
But I felt I should say my piece and ECT. I wouldn’t rule it out as a potentially beneficial treatment, but I do find that psychiatrists portray it as “soft and cuddly” and don’t warn of some of the side effects I think might be attributed to it.
...you were endorsing every jot and tittle of it! But I felt I should say my piece and ECT. I wouldn’t rule it out as a potentially beneficial treatment, but I do find that psychiatrists portray it as “soft and cuddly” and don’t warn of some of the side effects I think might be attributed to it.
I’m glad you posted what you did on ECT for a couple of reasons, most of all it because it may benefit someone who reads about it.
BTW, ‘tittle’ is my nick name with a certain 2 year old at church. As a result the whole family calls me “Tittle”, which sounds like a character out of a Beatrix Pottter. I’m terribly fond of it and the 2 year old. Little did I know that it is a real word.
See Matthew 5:18 KJV
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Luke 16:17 KJV
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Concerning Beatrix Potter, have you seen the new film Miss Potter?
Thank you for what you posted. More thanks for the offer of approaching your close family member on behalf of me and for the benefit of my talk. A most generous and kind offer.
Would this be done best as a topic in General Forums or here? I do not want to begin a discussion which may prove emotionally taxing or difficult for her as I am genuinely concerned for well-being. Also as the date for my talk approaches I may find I have less time to read and contribute to these forums.
What do you think?
I’ll leave it to you to discuss the matter further with her. If she is willing then please PM me.
Another resource that may be helpful background or to touch on in your presentation is the
“Mental Health First Aid” course at:
http://www.mhfa.com.au/index.htm
Your psychologist friend may know of these courses.
From that website:
Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
The Federal government is apparently going to be funding these courses (typically over two days) in regional areas as part of their drought relief program.
Perhaps some regional churches could tap into this program as an extension of their ministry?
What questions would you have, or what information would be helpful, were you to get her to talk about her experiences of depression as a Christian?
Run them by me; I’ll show my sister (who reads threads on these fora when I show topics of interest to her) & if so inclined, she’ll probably reply through me. I’m pretty sure that this discussion & your talk will be of interest to her. I know both she & I feel quite strongly about the many Christian misconceptions there are about depression, e.g. the “you only have a problem because you don’t have enough faith” variety.
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