ECT Experiences, Q&A

I would like to suggest a thread which deals with electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for questions and answers, but also for any on-going discussion which may focus on it.

It is often called the treatment of last resort, but I believe that may be due to misconceptions about it. I wish I had been talked into it years ago. It has helped me tremendously.

I am glad it's working for you.

How is your memory? Does it take very long to recover after a treatment?

I think depression on its own does (did) more damage to my memory than the ECT has done. With unilateral treatment (I've had bilateral, too.) I don't feel like I have any memory loss. The bilateral did leave me vacant for several days after.

I've had ECT three times. Each time I was so depressed I could barely eat or take care of myself. I was suffering from intense suicidal ideation, and if I had had the energy I would have done it (one time I actually attempted). Each time I had already tried every medication available; it was ECT or continue living in hell.

ECT has helped me tremendously. The first time I had it I was actually stable (for the most part) for six years afterward. Medication free. The second time my stability only lasted a year and a half but my husband died in that time so that probably had a lot to do with the depression. This past February I did it for a third time and again, it pulled me out of the black hole I was in. I've been stable for four months. I'm on medication this time so that's probably helping too but I am hopeful for my future.

I did experience extreme memory loss and loss of cognitive function the first two times. It is a shame because I have no memory of important event such as my honeymoon and a nice vacation we took. This last time, however, I experienced no adverse effects.

The only problem I have is I really don't like being put under to get it. It's terrifying to me and even though I've done it fifty times I still get panicky when it's time to do it. Therefore I will still avoid it as much as possible. However I am not averse to doing it again in the future if it is my only option again.

Thank you both.

I honestly have come to push that ECT be a big consideration for any future episodes. I've been through all the meds that my pdoc feels will help without causing movement disorders and while I'm doing well on clozaril I am very aware that this could change at any time.

Last fall my pdoc agreed with me and contacted the dr. I had seen in IP the month before. He read my records and felt that ECT wouldn't be as likely to work right then and that we should try any possible meds and then do ECT if all failed. If I get worse again it will be reconsidered and much more likely since I will have run out of meds.

Hopefully it never happens but I'm more willing to do ECT than I am to play med roulette any longer.

Hi, I just received my 27th treatment today. It worked great for me at first then I went 2 months between and went back to bad shape.
Currently I am sent to every 3 weeks and am doing well. Slight memory loss but not bad.
I wish you well.

Interesting thread. ECT was recommended to me by the lead psychiatrist of a hospital when I was inpatient, but I did not have the treatment. My pdoc, whom I have a lot of respect for and who has been my sole pdoc since my diagnosis, has never mentioned it.

However, I have read good things about ECT with the potential memory/cognitive side effects as the only negative aspect.

I think the method of administration of the treatment is what freaks people out. I know that psych pills for bipolar can affect memory/cognition, as well as the disease itself.

I've had that long-term, crippling depression before ... if ECT would pull me out of it and my pdoc recommended it, I would go for it.

Take care. xo

I am currently considering ECT. What were your side effects? What I am finding online is all contradicting information. And my Psychiatrist doesn't do it so she isn't as educated on the subject as she used to be 20 years ago. I would have to drive 7 hours to get it done and stay there for a few weeks, so I would like all the information I can get. Any you have would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

mentallyunstable86

My side effects were extreme memory loss and loss of cognitive function. That was during the treatment and for about six months afterward. I forgot how to get places I'd been going for years and I forgot people'a names and sometimes even how I knew the I'm still really bad with names. That's probably going to be a permanent thing. But I don't respond to unilateral treatments so I have to get bilateral. Bilateral is much worse for memory. If you can get away with unilateral treatments it shouldn't be that bad.

I want to stress however that it is not a cure. I still cycle with bipolar. It's just not as severe. And as I mentioned in my first post, it did pull me out of severe depressions three times. This time I've been mostly stable for about nine months. I did experience some depression in November and December that seems to have been alleviated by upping MY AD.

I don't think it should be done unless your depression is so disabling you literally cannot function. I wouldn't risk the side effects for a mild to moderate depression. I also don't know personally how well it works for mixed episodes or mania, though it is used for that.

I had 12 rounds of unilateral and 6 rounds of bilateral. The Bilateral certainly messes with your memory. I forgot all the time I was in treatment and struggled to for new memories for months after. The unilateral was less severe. The treatments themselves were fine but you do need a mild general antsthetic and can't drive that day. For me ECT did nothing. My depression remained and I went into a mixed state a few months later. I won't be having it again.

That is what I am worried of. I don't want memory problems. I already have problems with my memory. I have heard both sides, where someone has no memory problems, and also like your's where they will have memory problems.

My memory was completely destroyed by the episode.
ECT actually brought me back to life.
The memory impairment suffered later from ECT was later restored. But 1st few weeks in hospital and first 10 treatments the memories never returned.
It has a temporary result for depression. In my case it didn't help stay out of the woods for long.
I wouldn't have it again unless I was completely out of it again. I hope that never happens.