ECT, that stands for Electro Convulsive Therapy, is a form of treatment of Bipolar Disorder. I was aware of the administration of electric shock for the treatment of mental diseases. But when my psychiatrist told me, after a long bout of acute depression, that I had to have it, I was petrified. I thought that it was a cruel and barbaric procedure, which would hurt like hell. My family too was utterly shocked. My sister, who was the most vehement protester, went around trying to find out more about it.
She did. The procedure was done under General Anesthesia. The doctor, who spoke about this to my sister, laughed.
"You have seen all the wrong movies. Hindi films and Hollywood films like 'one flew over the cuckoo's nest,' show electric shock in a very horrendous style. But there is no strapping down of the patient, no shoving of pad in between his teeth and no writhing around in agony. The patient doesn't feel a thing."
Reassured, my family allowed the procedure to take place.
I arrived bright and early in the hospital the next day to take my first ECT. Though I knew that it would be painless, my heart was thumping very rapidly and painfully against my chest. I was summoned to the OT which had a narrow bed. The room smelt of spirit. I was asked to lie down on the bed and put out my wrist. The cold touch of spirit, a needle prick and I was fast asleep. It was a short procedure. Mild shock waves of very low intensity was passed into my brain.
When I woke up, I was feeling dizzy and weak. I had a terrible taste in my mouth. My father was sitting beside me and smiling.
"Is it over?" I asked feebly.
"Yes," said my father, "but you have to eat something before you go home." He held out a small tiffin box of cheese sandwiches.
After an hour I was allowed to go home. ECT has no side effects except for some memory loss.
She did. The procedure was done under General Anesthesia. The doctor, who spoke about this to my sister, laughed.
"You have seen all the wrong movies. Hindi films and Hollywood films like 'one flew over the cuckoo's nest,' show electric shock in a very horrendous style. But there is no strapping down of the patient, no shoving of pad in between his teeth and no writhing around in agony. The patient doesn't feel a thing."
Reassured, my family allowed the procedure to take place.
I arrived bright and early in the hospital the next day to take my first ECT. Though I knew that it would be painless, my heart was thumping very rapidly and painfully against my chest. I was summoned to the OT which had a narrow bed. The room smelt of spirit. I was asked to lie down on the bed and put out my wrist. The cold touch of spirit, a needle prick and I was fast asleep. It was a short procedure. Mild shock waves of very low intensity was passed into my brain.
When I woke up, I was feeling dizzy and weak. I had a terrible taste in my mouth. My father was sitting beside me and smiling.
"Is it over?" I asked feebly.
"Yes," said my father, "but you have to eat something before you go home." He held out a small tiffin box of cheese sandwiches.
After an hour I was allowed to go home. ECT has no side effects except for some memory loss.
