The latest research results on deep brain stimulation (DBS) suggests it is helpful for severe, chronic depression. DBS is a simple surgical procedure that implants electrodes in parts of your brain. Once implanted, they emit tiny electrical pulses that help block …
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DBS sounds really evasive, although I do see how people with the most sever of cases would easily opt for any way out.
Although sometimes I feel I would do anything to gain that bit of control over my emotions and thoughts I’m not sure I could put myself through it.
In June of 2006 I had the VNS implant. It is an implant, just below the collar bone on the left side, and wires are wrapped around the Vagus Nerve. The implant, when activated, sends small electrical impulses to the brain stem. It has been somewhat successful in treating Treatment Resistant Depression. It may have helped some, but I’m not sure. The device goes on 30 seconds every 5 min.
If i hadn’t gone through this experience, I might be willing to try deep brain stimulation. Now I feel life is too hopeless to waste more money trying other things. I’ve tried over 3 doz. meds in the past 35 years (as well as combinations of meds); ect; EMDR; and many kinds of therapy.
The illness has cost me my marriage; a relationship with my grown children; abandonment by my parents and siblings; and as it has gotten worse, withdrawal from all relationships, except those who care enough to exchange e-mail.
I feel lost. I can’t trust myself, and I don’t see that it’s any longer worth the risk to try to make friends. No one understands the limitations I have. And the energy to push myself is just gone. I don’t know why it seems to get worse with age, but I’m 58 and the last 12 years have been the worst.
While I feel there is nothing left for me but to try to not to commit suicide, and hope my life ends on it’s own, suicide is at least something I can plan for if things get too bad. I have managed to screw up a number of attemtps which worked for others, so I guess that’s one deterent for me. Failure can result in worse things. I guess I was fortunate. Attempts failed without permanent injury.
I wouldn’t wish this any one. I only wish there were people who understood this and could accept me. But I can’t accept me and this dreadful, life-destroying illness, so I’m not sure why others should.
Thanks for a place to vent. I’m just so tired and sometimes terribly lonely.
People with mental illness are often punished for their illness. How ironic. But it’s true; we can be very difficult to be around.
I had thought about the DBS option for my treatment-resistant depression. I weighed the benefits and risks. I knew that I would be turned down due to the fact that I already have a brain injury in the right hemisphere of my brain (not in the frontal lobe, but in the center – still they’ll turn me down).
I had the VNS therapy system implanted in February 2008. I started improving in two months and it was adjusted to 1.5 milliamps that goes off every minute. Over the last year, I have improved a great deal and I am so happy and glad that I have the VNS. I had to fight with my insurance to get coverage on the implant procedure for a year. When I finally got, I was so amazed that I fought so hard to fight my insurance, quit smoking, and survive the worst depression I ever had in 17 years. My depression began when I was 20. I was 36 when I recieved the VNS. I’m so grateful for the VNS therapy. Sure, I still have a way to go, but the relief I have is really astounding. I’ve tried so many medications that either didn’t work or lasted long. I still take an antidepressant. It may not help everyone. I hope it helps you someday, CD Cabin. I have said this before my VNS implantation that if I only get a partial relief, I’ll take it. I was that desperate. It’s definitely not 100%, since I still have fatigue and sleep abnormality. It does wonderfully on my moods, though.