Yes, they are aware. I have DID and major depression.
It really isn't barbaric at all, all though I admit I was scared. They are very gentle and caring. They put you on a stretcher and cover you in a warm blanket, as well as putting heat packs on your arm for the I V. The bring you into the treatment room and give you the IV medication and anything you may need for nausea. They ask you to tell them when you start feeling sleepy. Before or 're you know it, you're waking in recovery and your nurse asks what you'd like to drink. After you're more awake you're brought into the lounge where everyone who is recovering is brought. There are recliner chairs. The bring you whatever you would like to eat and take your blood pressure until it's stable. You then speak to the ECT doc to see how it's going, and then you can leave. It's rather pleasant, actually.
You asked what they were doing to help me recover. Did you mean from the depression or the DID? I have outpatient t and outpatient med management also. Since they increased the dose of ECT I seem to have improved much quicker.