I think there are some people here who can give you some first hand experience...

I know that the thought of ECT IS scary but a lot of that is from the past... ECT has changed quite a lot and people still associate it with stories and opinions from many years ago. Now ECT is much better understood and is much much more controlled.

I know there can be some memory loss with ECT (which scares me) but most of the time the loss is temporary. If that is a concern talk to the doctor about what to expect. I also know that it can indeed be very very effective. It might not be the first thing to try but when other things have failed and the depression is very severe I think it is something worth considering. The possibility of memory loss is scary to me but I would consider it as an option if I got to that point.

I suppose it must be a very difficult decision to make with your aunt but talk to the doctor and hopefully some people here, and don't base that decision on stories (that may not even be accurate) from many years ago when ECT was not nearly as controlled or understood a proceedure.

Good luck.

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