ECT - when is it worth it/necessary?

Sorry if this has (probably) been posted about a lot before.

I wanted to see if any of you had any input on ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). I've only considered it once a while back while I was doing terribly, but I've been just kind of thinking about it again.

I feel like I'm pretty bad right now but probably not bad enough for ECT. I've been really struggling (more than usual) for months, and especially the past few months have just been up and down but pretty bad. I worked for a couple of months, have been unemployed over a month now, and have been trying to push myself to get a job but feeling doubtful I can really manage it.

But I'm kinda worried that I've just been not realizing just how badly I'm doing, too. I feel like this time around, part of how I've made things less painful and at least seemingly better is by just letting myself avoid things, focusing on the hope that someday things will get better, though that "some day" keeps being pushed out longer and becoming more uncertain. It scares me to realize how much time is just passing and passing while I sit here trying to stay in my own little bubble of denial. Still, I feel like it's not the worst depression. I get out of bed (though with trouble pretty much every day and sometimes sleeping til the afternoon + horrible insomnia), I don't have a ton of trouble with showering or hygiene, I'm "functioning" in the most basic sense. But I haven't really felt joy or interest in much for months, and I'm worried about just going on like this forever and getting worse, especially with the winter months coming up (though I'm trying to be positive.) My anxiety has reached pretty terrible levels, and I basically only go out when I have to for appointments and a few other times here and there. My confidence is very low, too, but I think I don't even realize how low until the rare times I force myself to really spend time around people. My mental/cognitive decline is also extremely worrying.

I'm definitely scared of ECT and not even sure if it's something I'd want to do. I worry that I'll be one of those people who just feel like it's life ruining and regret it. And especially since I'm not at absolute rock bottom, I'd regret having done it even more if I ended up reacting really badly and didn't "have" to do it. I just keep having it in my mind now, though. I also sorta wonder if I've just gotten the idea in my head now and am just wanting to feel better immediately and rushing into (considering) it.

I've tried a lot of meds though, and there aren't many more options that I have much faith in at all. Going back on Nardil is always a possible (almost) last resort, but I definitely want to avoid that.

Has anyone had any experience with ECT, and how bad were you before you did it? How is it as far as relapse? Is it really worth it, or too risky?

some tough questions....you are not alone....
have you seen a primary care doctor...
are you talking with a therapist...

Hi there. I've had ECT done before and it was after many meds were tried. I was in the hospital and had hit rock bottom. I had trouble eating, showering, getting dressed, the basics. The one way I knew I had hit rock bottom was that I stopped chewing my nails. I've been chewing them since I was a little kid, but I was so depressed I couldn't be bothered. That being said, the chewing began once I started to feel better. :P

So for ECT, I would definitely recommend it as a last resort, but it couldn't hurt to bring up the possibility to a psychiatrist and see what they think.

Did it work? Absolutely. It worked better than any medication I've ever been on. However, it's not something that I wanted in the long-term. The memory side effects are bad (there are memories to this day that I'll never get back thanks to ECT treatments), and it can be harder to concentrate on things like reading. That being said, the side effects were totally worth it, in exchange for getting out of rock bottom.

I will be honest with you - it can be a scary procedure if you don't like that sort of thing. I cried more than once before the anesthetic put me to sleep, holding the nurse's hand for comfort as I lost consciousness. It's not pleasant, but neither is depression.

You'll need to talk to a psych to weigh the pros and cons. I'm not sure how it works where you are, but I had to get approval from two different psychiatrists before getting the go-ahead, and I was shown an educational video so I knew what I was getting into.

If you do decide to get ECT, I recommend unilateral treatment instead of bilateral; the memory loss isn't as bad if they only zap one side of your head.

I hope you find a treatment option that works for you, good luck!