Successful Electroconvulsive Therapy

I was back in the hospital this morning for yet another electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment. I knew it was time for another one because my depression was getting really bad and not responding to my meds, although ECT is also used for mania.

I was really worried about this one because I just cut again fairly severely a couple of days ago, so I have a big bandage on my leg right where it was very obvious during the treatment. The pdoc doing the treatment is the same one who gave the outpatient staff permission to involuntarily admit me after the last time I cut during the intensive outpatient program, so I was very worried that he might forcibly admit me when he saw the bandage. Nobody even mentioned it though, and I was treated and released without incident.

I feel like I usually do after an ECT. I'm tired, and my brain just isn't working right. I'm required to have a driver with me, which is a good thing because it took me almost an hour to remember where I live and how to get there. ECT really messes with your memory, especially short term. Home and safe now, just have to get some rest to recover for tomorrow or maybe go to a bipolar support group tonight if I feel up to it.

I have maintenance ECT every 3 to 4 weeks. I respond very well to it both in mood and memory. I have minimal memory loss and usually can recall things when reminded of them. I take a taxi to and from treatments because I live alone and don't have anyone to go with me.

It's good to hear success stories on ECT. Glad to hear you both respond well to them.

It's become an effective therapy for me, both in intensive series for big problems and in maintenance to help avoid the big problems. It just beats me up for a day or two in the process.

So do you get your memory back?

My memory usually comes back fairly soon, or at least by the end of the day. Times when I have had a long series of treatments close together I sometimes lose memories permanently. I also have stretches of up to several months that I'm missing completely that coincide with what was probably mania before my depression dx was changed to bipolar, so I don't know if that is part of it or not.