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CANDC · Mar 11, 2021 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleEarthquakes

Has anyone tried this? I have been through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, over 25 meds, many different therapists and therapies for a long period of time, and 12 years of daily, moderate to severe depression with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder. I guess I would just like to hear anyone's stories. I'm terrified of it affecting my memory, and also just terrified of being sedated, to be honest.

Hi @LittleEarthquakes - a friend has had many ECT treatments because they are apparently med resistant. The results have been that after a number of ECT treatments over a period of weeks or months, they resumed a normal life style that had been diminished by depression. They have gone for years without ECT or a short refresher ECT but when they got stubborn and sometimes quit too early because feeling better, their depression returns. They do best with regular ECT and then taper off ECT by extending treatments to a couple weeks or a month according to doctor's advice.

Memory can be affected. In their case they forget traumatic episodes which seems to be a benefit. There are also other variables that you might discuss with your doctor. There are articles too, you can Google Psych Central and ECT and the articles are archived there.

All the best to you. @CANDC