I had 15 ECT treatments - and for me the cost was at least 1 year memory, and short term memory issues, that I really had to work on to regain. That was particularly bad, because my kids were 7 and 10 - and socially active - and trying to remember other parents, and directions to places and stuff was terribly awkward for a while. Worse is that I was misdiagnosed forever - and was properly diagnosed during the treatments - started on ADHD medications and poof - no more depression - since it was probably resulting in misdiagnosis, and mis-medication for 10 years. I personally would never do it again - and I take no meds anymore. I do not credit ECT for seeing life differently - because while going through ADHD medications and being overwhelmed with all of the old frustrations and such - I could easily fall right back into a depressive mode - because of my circumstances. I do believe that it has helped people though. And not everyone losses memory.