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(JD) · Oct 04, 2008, 02:42 PM

I don't know how long it's been since your treatments, but some memory problems are transient. Depending upon which type of ECT you received will determine what kind of memory issues, if any, you have.

Depression, usually the reason for ECT, impairs memory in that the person often doesn't fully process what is being said and going on about them while in the depressive state. I'm not a medical doctor, but I would imagine that makes the time period larger where your memory is all mess up?

You posted under PTSD, and if ECT cured PTSD then everyone would be in line for it, or it already would be cured. The truth is, it doesn't cure PTSD. The flashbacks and such are there because these are memories that have not been properly processed yet. Brain chemicals that help process memories are some of what are altered during a trauma.

I understand your just wanting to forget all the bad stuff. However, the way out of flashbacks and bad memories is to begin processing them with an expert in PTSD. You won't have to go through each and every one of them. Something that happens, and truly no one really knows the how and why of PTSD, but once you begin processing memories correctly, it's like the brain relearns how to do that, and will subsequently "file" remaining similar memories. (Thus you don't have to go through each and every one of them.)

Do your grounding techniques etc when experiencing a flashback. The fact that you are realizing you are flashing back is a good step. It's part of the healing process. It's a very long road, but it's the right one to be on.