I have had ECT since the end of May 2009. I started out with six sessions, 3 times a week, went to once a week, then every other week, every three weeks and finally once a month. I have two more treatments scheduled and then we'll stop it and see how I do. If I run into trouble with depression again then I'll start it again. Although my antidepressant helps, it just isn't enough some times and I get very suicidal.

I am very lucky as I just get a "regular" headache for the day, although sometimes several days, my scalp is sore, and I usually sleep for the morning. I am given a drug to dry out my mouth so I can't really eat for about six hours. (Since there is no saliva, any food I eat is really dry, sticks to my mouth and I can't swallow it.) I have very little and most of the time, no memory loss.

Even with the side effects, I feel that ECT is the best thing for me to do. The consequence of deep depression is just dangerous for me. I would be glad to talk to you about ECT.