I had a number of breakdowns from '86-'92. I didn't respond to ADs (or APs) and my Dr. at the time was not sure of my diagnosis but my depression was very severe. I had an evaluation in the hospital with the Dr. who specialized in ECT and he recommended me. I had x16 during Summer '92 and I hit rock bottom but slowed my racing thoughts down just a tad. Didn't have any permanent side effects. PDOC in 2003 told me that ECT benefits BP patients more than unipolar depressed patients. Now I know that I'm agitated depressive (mixed manic) and took me yrs to find correct diagnosis and still looking for relief from certain symptoms. (I responded well to Paxil 1996-2000 but wore off.)