do you think ect is okay now adays?

ECT is not anything like you have experienced before. I don't know how many years ago your aunt had it, but I know these days it is very comfortable for the patient and only administered when less invasive treatments have been tried and failed. Unfortunately, you and your mother don't have a say in his treatment. Hopefully he does. I work in health care and I have seen it work and be the only thing that works for people with certain types of depression. If it makes you feel better to know, my very good friend received ECT treatments while she was pregnant with her now very healthy and happy child because her depression needed treatment and the doctors felt ECT was less of a risk to her baby than medication. I am very sorry what happened to your aunt. Depending on how many years ago, the doctors may have been to quick to utilize this therapy and it just wasn't right for her. It certainly wasn't effective. The fact of the matter is, if someone is determined to end their life, there is little anyone can do for them. I hope this helped. Keep an open mind. But watch for any subtle signs that your brother may be contemplating harming himself and report them immediately to your mother or his wife. Hang in there. Mental illness isn't fun for anyone, and nobody asks for it.

'they' don't just arbitrarily do this. a responsible adult has to agree to it and it is generally only offered after lack of success w/ varying degrees of medication and therapy. i had it after 2-3 years of a losing battle and now, tho i don't feel any better and am still suicidal, i am still alive, much to my chagrin but to the relief of my family.

that is an abbreviation I use all the time I think it will never really go out of style. It is based on Latin, and conveys just the right meaning and information.

And other things...

etc.