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| Linda's Depression Clinical Trial Blog |
June 1st
I suffer from treatment resistant depression and am a participant in a clinical trial. The study compares VNS (vagal nerve stimulus) to ECT (electro-shock therapy). I am in the ECT leg of the study. My depression became so severe so quickly with no relief from medications alone, that I made the decision to pursue ECT. Because depression is poorly understood as is it's treatment, I felt it would be a humanitarian gesture to participate in a scientific study. All my treatments (ECT, medications, and talk therapy) are recorded at regular intervals and I'm assessed by a psychiatrist to determine my level of depression. Participation takes little time (4 visits the first year and then 2 annually). It continues for five years. I feel very strongly that more research is needed to better understand this mood disorder to give relief and hope to those who suffer as well as their families. If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial of any kind, please call and ask questions. The research scientists are more than happy to answer your questions and thoroughly explain everything to your satisfaction. Medical science can't move forward without our help.
-Linda
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