Waves of Hope: Personal Stories of ECT [Paperback]

A collection of personal accounts written by patients and their relatives who have received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).Eleven personal stories about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), written by people who have had this treatment, or by their relatives. This book will be invaluable for people considering ECT, and a great source for information for mental health and medical practitioners, providing a better understanding of severe mental illness and the role of ECT.Eleven personal stories about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), written by people who have had this treatment, or by their relatives. This book will be invaluable for people considering ECT, and a great source for information for mental health and medical practitioners, providing a better understanding of severe mental illness and the role of ECT.Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be a lifesaving treatment for people with severe mental health disorders that have not responded to other treatments. Yet, it remains one of the most controversial treatments in psychiatry. This book is a collection of stories written by people who have received ECT, or by their friends and family. They provide open and detailed accounts of their experiences of severe mental illness and their journeys through ECT. The outcomes range from quick recoveries to relapses and repeated courses of therapy. These stories will highlight the potential life-changing benefits this treatment can have and dispel some of the myths and misinformation that surround this treatment. This book will be a useful resource for anyone looking for further information about ECT, and for those who want to learn about the experiences of people who have severe depression, including psychosis.Introduction George Kirov; 1. A mother's journey; 2. Rise like a phoenix; 3. Young men don't need ECT; 4. Back from the edge; 5. Two sides of the storm  a couple's story; 6. The long way home; 7. Surviving bipolar: ECT and the 'self-binding directive'; 8. A lifelong stl£+