ECT Experiences

[drew_18]

Hello, everyone. I was just wondering if anyone here had tried ECT or knew anyone who had. I'd love to hear what people's experiences have been? They say the rates of success are quite high.

 

[Sleeper71]

Hey @drew_18, welcome to the site!

I hope you get some replies because I’m curious about it too. Meds don’t do much for me and at one point in my treatment a doctor said this might be a treatment to look into.

Best wishes.

 

[may71]

I know someone who got it and said it was good.

There are other treatment methods that I'd try before ECT though.

 

[Davec27]

I had a course of ECT as antidepressants didn't help. I was concerned about memory loss and so self monitored my intelligence and memory - the hospital didn't bother.

Not only did it not help my suicidal ideation, but because it didn't I felt there was one more thing I had failed with and then with the brain function deterioration which I had evidence of; there was a second thing to add to my worries.

Would I recommend it? Only if really desperate and be aware it may make you worse

 

[Sleeper71]

I had a course of ECT as antidepressants didn't help. I was concerned about memory loss and so self monitored my intelligence and memory - the hospital didn't bother.

Not only did it not help my suicidal ideation, but because it didn't I felt there was one more thing I had failed with and then with the brain function deterioration which I had evidence of; there was a second thing to add to my worries.

Would I recommend it? Only if really desperate and be aware it may make you worse

Thanks for the reply. The potential memory loss is what’s kept me from pursuing this more.

 

[Davec27]

Thanks for the reply. The potential memory loss is what’s kept me from pursuing this more.

Memory loss is very real. Ideally I feel you sould do a mental score before and after . There will always be short term memory problems, but usually most have recovered by 3 months, but https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/62301/ect-wipes-out-30-years-memories

 

[Sleeper71]

Interesting article. Some days losing 30 years of memories doesn’t sound so bad. Seriously though I appreciate the replies.

 

[Leesa]

I went to a mini seminar on TMS this week. They talked about ECT and it terrified me. I'm checking more into TMS but don't know enough yet. I do know someone who just finished. She said it's worth it but I don't know remission is possible. To me, the best I think I can expect is momentary relief to get me into a mindset to learn coping skills.