ECT doesn't cause mania to come on and is even used as a treatment for mania also. I have ECT about once a month. My memory loss is minimal to none and certainly no cognitive functioning problems. I read a book called Shock about ECT and cognitive functioning was not an issue. You need to talk to your pdoc about this and people who have had ECT. Unfortunately, people with negative experiences are more likely to share than those who have found it useful. I have treatments now and in the past and I will continue to have them. They help immensely.