I have had a "treatment resistant depression" for most of my life.

I had been diagnosed with Major Depression, Severe Atypical, for most of my life. This diagnosis has recently been changed to a "treatment resistant" Bipolar II depression. Either way, it's "treatment resistant depression." I think very many of us know what chronically stubborn depressions are like? Paralyzing, humiliating, often deadly.

I have exhausted med trials. I cannot tolerate most drugs. The few I could tolerate are now giving me dystonic reactions. I have written more about this here: https://forums.psychcentral.com/bipo...e-therapy.html

My pdoc has asked me to consider ECT. I have had ECT suggested many times in the past, by different pdocs, as my depression has always been so stubborn. In the past, I have immediately said "no" to any suggestion of ECT.
However, now things are changing. If I do not yet have tardive dystonia, I certainly do not want to develop a permanent dystonia.

I am starting my ECT research, a part of which is learning from other having had experience with ECT. I am hoping someone might share their experience with me.

Have you had ECT experience?
Was ECT helpful?
Did you complete a short course of ECT or did you also do longer term maintenance therapy?
Would you recommend ECT to a loved one in need?
Is there anything else you feel is important to share, either experiences, opinions, concerns?

Thank you very much for sharing anything at all. This is a big decision for me. I am going to take some time to make this decision, so please do not see the date on this post and feel it's "out dated." I'll likely still be reading responses.


WC