Shock treatment for PTSD

We have all have stressful times in our life, so worse than others.. I found out last week, that a psychologist in town is specializing in shock therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder... I even had someone say I would benefit.... It seems, they make you picture what hapened in your mind and then they shock you.. you get several "jolts" and soon you forget.

Now, I never saw my daughter at the crime scene, neither did her dad. We were called afterward.. But I DID see her at the funeral home before the fixed her all up.. I demanded it... Now I don't know about some of you, but I don't want to forget that. That was the last time I saw my daughter before she was dolled up for the funeral. It was important to me.

Does this make me sick? Or does this just make me a parent who needed proof that her child was really dead? And why do I want to forget it now? I have carried on to the best of my ability.. I don't want to forget...

Any thoughts?

Tags: forgetting, healing, shock, treatment

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Magickalystics on March 1, 2009 at 1:00am: First off, I want to say how sorry I am that you lost your daughter to violence. That has to be the worst thing I can imagine going through as a parent. I also understand why you wanted to see her as she really was; the morticians can try, but they just can never really get them to look quite like the person (because the life is missing), which makes it all seem so unreal.

The main problem with using electroshock "therapy" in this case is that it isn't all that precise; yes, you might forget the specific experience that caused the trauma, but you could also lose other memories as well.

BB,

Amalthea; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PamWiccan on March 1, 2009 at 7:47pm: Using shock treatment for someone who has PTSD doesn't sound good to me. As I have the disorder, I don't think shocking me so I may forget what happened to me would make a difference, It will always be a part of my life but I don't let it run my life.

You will never forget your daughter or what happened and what you saw. You can keep it as a memory but you shouldn't let it overtake your present.

I know the story my dear sister so I understand how you feel.
Her spirit will always be with you and I am sure she comes to visit so you can chat,

Love and Blessings to you :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by pericleez on March 1, 2009 at 9:14pm: my personal opinion is you are not sick for wanting to see her before they dolled her up or for forgetting the event. I am not sickened by this post. I know some will be, I pick and choose who to speak with regarding my own experiences.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by VG Lovecraft on March 14, 2009 at 3:05pm: I was a psych major in college (many years ago). I have always been against ECT, or shock treatment, but I think it may be beneficial in some cases. That said, I understand why it can help in terms of treating PTSD. ECT attempts to change electrical activity in the brain, and (in my opinion) causes brain damage.

I think that if a person suffering from PTSD is unable to live their life as "comfortably" as possible (i.e., is suicidal, unable to eat, sleep, etc.), then ECT could be helpful. The cautions I would give are 1). ECT is not guaranteed to be of lasting benefit, and 2) there are documented cases in which a person's short term memory is permanently lost. This is uncommon, but it does occur.

I feel that if you do not wish to forget, do not receive ECT. You are not sick for demanding to see your daughter at the funeral home. This was something you did as an attempt to come to terms with a very difficult situation. I believe that the fact that you are able to discuss this, and carry on, shows that you are doing very well in the face of your tragedy.

Blessed Be!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on March 14, 2009 at 3:11pm: I don't think you should let someone shock you at all. I am very sorry this happened to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maire Hel Wolf on March 14, 2009 at 3:24pm: Shock Treatment? It clearly depends on the case.
I researched enough to accuse any professional who tries that on me of dangerous quackery. I think it is just another sadistic little entertainment under the coat of unconventional healing, just like electro shock therapy for schizophrene and alcoholic clients.
It is not the same as working out past events and getting over them, with making the client see that these things do have a tremendous impact regardless of the objective graveness of the event.

I prefer to spend time with people who do not stab my back, invade my privacy or lure me into traps or cause me physical pain.

As for your daughter it is okay. I can understand that. As for myself I would have needed to see them dead but I was not allowed to for selfish reasons. This way somehow I never knew if they were really dead. I think your approach was genuine and honest, and brave.; ▶ Reply to This