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David had always experienced depression but when he was in his early 40s his depression got much worse and he had a breakdown. He was admitted to hospital and was offered ECT, age 43. David had 20 ECT treatments which lifted the depression in a way that antidepressants never had. He is however still looking for work.
David lives by himself, is currently unemployed and describes his ethnic background as White British.
Jenny had a difficult childhood and lost her father when she was four. Latterly she had a very stressful working life and was admitted to hospital to have ECT following a suicide attempt. She felt ECT had a buffering effect, but - like antidepressants made no significant impact upon the depression she experienced.
Jenny is a retired consultant and is married with four children. She describes her ethnic background as Anglo-Irish.
Cathy was first diagnosed with mental health problems as a teenager. She first had ECT after an episode of severe depression. Although she found her depression did lift and she was able to function, she experienced memory loss in the short term and longer term. Cathy now has a job and feels that her recovery is two to three steps forward, one step back.
Cathy works as a part time cleaner and volunteers in a plant nursery. She lives with her son and describes her ethnic background as White British.
Catherine experienced problems as a teenager and, after a suicide attempt, was eventually admitted to a young people's unit. When she was 26, and after a change in medication, she was admitted to hospital where she was offered ECT. Catherine and her husband decided to try different anti-depressants instead of opting for ECT.
Catherine is married, lives with her husband and works as an E-health officer. She describes her ethnic background as White Scottish.
Sunil first became seriously depressed when he was a medical student and was eventually given ECT. He responded rapidly to treatment. Later he was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and has had relapses of his condition. Sunil has found that out of all the treatments offered, only ECT really gets him better.
Sunil is a Consultant, lives with his wife and describes his ethnic background as Indian.
Matt's wife experienced severe postnatal depression and was admitted to hospital a couple of times. After she didn't respond to medication, she was given ECT. He thinks that ECT was eventually effective in treating his wife's depression.
Matt is a writer, married and has three children. He describes his ethnic background as White British.
Tania first became unwell at university and years later was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. She has had various ECT treatments over the years with varied results, but now considers ECT - if performed correctly - to be a life saving.
Tania is a lecturer, and lives with her husband and daughter. She describes her ethnic background as White British.
Sue suffered sexual abuse as a child and has had a history of mental health problems. Five years ago she was given ECT, aged 45. Sue and Ian felt they weren't given enough information about the treatment and that more research should be done about the emotional impact of ECT.
Sue and Ian are married and both aged 50, have one child and describe their ethnic background as White British.
Jane felt unwell in 2009 when her children were 2 & 4, and was admitted to hospital but discharged shortly after. In 2010, age 36, she was readmitted and had 7 and later another 12 sessions of ECT. Now she is recovering, has had a 3rd child and is finding support from yoga and church, and has more confidence in herself as a mother.
Jane is a mental health worker and lives with her husband and three children. She describes her ethnic background as White British.
Suzanne was given ECT age 27, during a hospital admission when she was very depressed and experiencing psychosis. She was catatonic, had stopped eating and drinking and was losing weight rapidly. John felt anxious about the treatment options available and was told medication would not work quickly enough. After three sessions of ECT he noticed some improvement. Now Suzanne has a few blips but asks for help more readily and finds a range of techniques that help her well-being.
Suzanne, age 36and John age 44, work in education. They are married and live together with their young son. Their ethnic backgrounds are White Irish and White British.
