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As many know I posted for prayers recently regarding my brother`s situation being very sick from his disease. He still remains in ICU. My mother however is getting sicker and sicker in her disease. She was only at her best when she was in denial believing that he was not drinking. Now that he is hopitalized she can`t escape the reality. She has been under a pchy`s care since my dad passed away 3 years ago and she also has breast cancer. She has always threatened suicide since I was a child when things were bad for her but now its all she talk about but I don`t think she would ever do it. She just has no coping skills at all. My predicament is this. Yesterday she was at the hospital with my brother who oversees her finances and they were in to see the pchy and the pchy decided that since none of the anti depressants are helping her and she is worse lately.( Which Is natural under the circumstances) They want her to go for shock treatments! This sounds barbaric to me. This is not a small medical establishment. Its one of the finest in the counrty. My brother is all for it so my mother signed up for it. I don`t believe in it. It goes against my grain but I stated that I would like to know more before I would ever suggest something so drastic. She asked me to call her doctors. So far none have returned my call. They may not until she signs off given written permission. Does anyone know anything about "shock treatments'? If so any pros or cons appreciated.
I don't have anything to offer about shock treatments. I will send prayers of support and healing to you and your family during this difficult time.
Hugs again P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
There has been a lot of controversy about shock treatments over the years. A long time ago they were thought to be really helpful and revolutionary; then the tide turned and people thought they were barbaric. In recent years the medical establishment has been more accepting of them again. So I guess the real answer is that it's a judgment call. Some people swear by them and some people say they're terrible. I think most people agree that if they're considered, it's as a last-ditch approach. There is some research showing that they can kind of "re-boot" the brain. A possible side effect used to be possible memory loss (not all memory, just some recent memories, as I understand it). I don't know whether modern treatments still have this risk.
It sounds as if your mother is indeed in a last-ditch situation. But if part of the problem is the alcoholism (I don't know if she is an alcoholic), the shock treatment is not going to cure that. Another question would be if she is competent to make this decision. If she is, it might be worth the risk to her, even if others in the family are horrified. To me it sounds as if there are so many unknowables that, again, it's a judgment call. Maybe speaking to a hospital or psychiatric social worker would help clarify things? This is a tough situation. Whatever happens, keep on taking good care of yourself.
I should add that my father had shock treatments for depression back in the Dark Ages. They made him less depressed for a while. But his problems were bigger than something like that could solve. Those were the days before much good talk therapy, so they were trying to tackle the whole problem with shock treatments. I didn't like the idea myself, but my father willingly went for a course of them. For someone whose depression is even more complicated, I would be concerned that the answer might be more complicated too.
That is exactly how I feel. How can something like this correct something so complicated?
BTW, I did speak with one of her doctors a short while ago and she said to me that my reaction to this is 100% normal. Most family members tend to feel as I do. Its recommended that I read Kitty Dukakis`s book called "Shock". My local library is holding a copy for me.
Oh, and no she herself was not the alcoholic but was the daughter of one. Grew up in a very abusive household.
Samsgram ~ I'd sure be interested in what you find out. I've heard that a family member had electroshock treatments for depression back in the day and I've always wondered what that treatment's all about and how/if it works. It didn't seem to work too well for her, but that was also quite a long time ago.
Looks like my brother feels like he is the one in the drivers seat here.
He went balistic on me that I spoke to her doctor and that I`am not on board. He thinks I told my mother not to have it done and even when I told him it was not me that said it it was my aunt, he was still shouting. He is acting crazy himself now. This is suppose to be a sane one.. He feels he does everything with her so he can and should make her decisions. But, I said, she is still my mother can`t I have a say in something so drastic? I have the book and I really don`t feel she qualifies for this but my brother does. He takes her to her doctor appointments, etc and handles her finances but yet she asks me my opinion if she should do this. If I say no, he will go off and my mother will suffer. I`am really in a hard place here. Its the side affects of memeory loss which she already suffers with that bothers me the most. She will not be able to care for herself. I don`t know what the hell this guy is thinking. He tells me she crys to him all the time. I know she does because of his personailty... She won`t do that to everyone. She is lonely.. Anyway I`am in a tough spot. Thanks guys.
