I am one of those with a positive story. I have had 3 series of ECT treatments and maintenance treatments two of those times. I am currently having ECT every 4 weeks. I have minimal memory loss and I usually can recall the memories when reminded of them. However, when I am very depressed I have severe memory problems and never regain the memories - I know this because I re-read journals I had written when depressed (and not having had ECT) and I remembered very little of what I wrote about.

Since diagnosed, the longest I have gone without depression/mania is 9 months and that happened after my last treatments of ECT. When the depression returned at a severe, suicidal level I asked for ECT. My pdoc does it on Wednesdays and another pdoc does it on Mondays and Fridays so I always try to get scheduled for Wednesdays.

Oh, I am also on an MAOI, the Emsam patch. I do have to be on the low tyramine diet but I have accidentally eaten something I shouldn't a few times and had no reaction. I think, from what I have read, that since the MAOI is absorbed through the skin instead of the digestive track there is a bit less sensitivity to the food. As time goes by I find it easier and easier to stay aware of the diet restrictions and stay on the diet.