NeuroTalk Support Groups - Actress Carrie Fisher talking about her ECT treatments

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- - Actress Carrie Fisher talking about her ECT treatments (https://www.neurotalk.org/bipolar-disorder/64301-actress-carrie-fisher-talking-ect-treatments.html)

Actress Carrie Fisher talking about her ECT treatments

Hi,
She is on the Craig Ferguson talking about recent ECT treatments for bipolar.

She even describes exactly what happens for the procedure.

She had it 3 times a week for 3 weeks.

She says that she lost four months of her life but it was worth it.

http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_art...sanity/?page=2

Quote:

CT is a controversial procedure in which electric currents are passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure. It is believed to cause changes in the brain chemistry that can alleviate certain mental illnesses.

In Fisher's case, it's a severe case of bipolar disorder that, she says, leaves her locked up inside her home, manic. She tried electroconvulsive therapy for the first time right before her Hartford engagement.

Not only did she have to relearn her lines, she says staring dead ahead and lighting yet another cigarette, she had to relearn who she was.

"The memory loss thing is heavy at the beginning,"' Fisher explains. "It's like I still meet people that know me and I don't know them. My sense of direction is shot. I still can't find my dressing room."

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/o...cess-20lei.jpg

Wow. That was once mentioned to me as a possible option. I don't think I'd ever go there unless I was completely unable to function.

This brings up a lot of questions about mental illness...

I got in an argument the other day on one of those "all psych drugs are evil" websites the other day... people don't understand... they think they went through a rough spell emotionally once and they think they know what chronic, relentless emotional problems are... and they make a judgment (see, there's that word again) for everyone else.

Very interesting...

Yes,
It is not just the rush to easy judgement that bugs me.
It is the self-righteousness that those kind of people seem to have.
M.

Thanks for sharing this Mari, I don't think I could ever bring myself to do it unless I was in her position where the Bipolar was disabling me as much as not having a leg does. I am lucky I think, and pray that I never get worse. It's scary to have to confront something like ECT. I gotta admire Carrie for having the courage to DO it let alone talk about it. :)

I saw that on the Craig Ferguson show. She recommended it,and has written a book. BF:hug::hug::hug:

To CARRIE and TRITONE

Thank You, CARRIE. I have been looking for this kind of input exactly!

TRITONE, you GOT it, Girl! When I told my family that my doc was strongly recommending ECT's, I got, "Depression is something you can cure yourself. You just have to get out among people." :mad:

Carrie Fisher's play on Broadway runs Oct 09 to Jan 2010

Carrie Fisher is a one woman show on broadway.

Quote:

http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/54/index.htm

WISHFUL DRINKING
Legendary actress, author and tabloid sensation Carrie Fisher boldly takes her sensationally bizarre life story to the Broadway stage.
In Wishful Drinking, Carrie divulges all the highs and lows of life as a Hollywood princess,including her battles with depression, mental illness and any number of addictions, affairs and breakdowns...and whatever else she can still remember.

Here are links to her opening night on Broadway:

http://www.broadway.com/shows/wishful-drinking/videos/

http://www.broadway.com/videos/tag/t...carrie-fisher/

From a review:
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/10/...er=rss&emc=rss

Quote:

Though cursed with an addictive personality and, it turned out later, bipolar disorder, Ms. Fisher was blessed with a sense of the howling absurdity . . .