I don't know why your girlfriend was denied ECT, but if it is because her doctor is not an advocate of ECT, perhaps she needs to find another doctor?

A few things about ECT. You and your girlfriend need to do some more homework about ECT so you can make a fully informed decision. There are varying degrees of memory loss one can suffer from ECT, not just short term. Doctors usual try Unilateral first because there is a lower risk of memory loss, but if it is not effective, which for many it is not, then they try Bilateral which has a greater risk of memory loss and cognitive impairment.

Memory loss can vary in degree from a few weeks to a few months to a year or many years. Some regain some memory, others regain none. There is also the issue of cognitive impairments and continued problems with short term memory loss after ECT.

You should know a surprisingly, there is a seeminly majority of professionals, therapists and psychiatrists, who are not fully informed about ECT and even doctors who administer ECT, do not always give out accurate information. Someone here suggested ect.org. You should know that the majority of the people at that site are con ECT, many want it banned. They tend to run off anyone who comes there with anything positive to say.

Fortunetly, there is a wonderful new resource, which has been sorely needed. Last September, Kitty Dukakis and Larry Tye released their book "Shock." You can read about Kitty personal experience as well as many many other interviews from people from all perspectives.

Larry is a medical reporter and has done an outstanding job researching ECT, past and present, pros and cons, benefits and side effects, fact and fiction, all kinds of unbias information that he could find about ECT. It is the best available resource I have ever seen on ECT and I highly recommond you and your girlfriend and anyone considering it and professionals as well, to read this book.

In the end, it is a personal decision one must make and as someone else said, it can be a trade off. For many suicidal people, it is a last resort and a very worth while risk to take in order to save one's life. You will find varying degrees of statistics on the success rate of ECT and since statistics are not mandated except in four or so states, there is no way to give an accurate success rate. Regardless, this may be someones only option left and last hope, even though there are risks and no matter what the success rate, it can be a successful option.

Best Wishes