Why can't I just forget?

blameme · Oct 04, 2008, 01:39 PM

Why is it that my flashbacks and nightmares seem to be constant, yet, since I've had ECT, I can't seem to remember things in the short-term. The flashbacks and nightmares are so vivid I can see, feel, hear, taste and smell and it is like it is all still happening and I can recall every detail, yet I can't tell you what I wore yesterday, or what I had for dinner last night. Am I losing my mind or what?

gimmeice · Oct 04, 2008, 02:00 PM

(((((((((((( blameme )))))))))))))))

I know how you feel it just isn't fair that I forget stuff all the time but I am still haunted by my bad memories.

(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.

blameme · Oct 04, 2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Sky

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.

I had ECT about 3 years ago. Before that I had a great deal of success with EMDR, but then as time went on, and I had finished EMDR, I was less in control and all the techniques that I had been taught to "ground" myself began to fail too. So in a last ditch effort my psychiatrist tried ECT.

skeeweeaka · Oct 04, 2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blameme

I had ECT about 3 years ago. Before that I had a great deal of success with EMDR, but then as time went on, and I had finished EMDR, I was less in control and all the techniques that I had been taught to "ground" myself began to fail too. So in a last ditch effort my psychiatrist tried ECT.

Hmm...Wondering if I should try ECT but from the research the depression usually returns and the memory issues are much worse... Has that been your experience?

TJ

blameme · Oct 05, 2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeweeaka

Hmm...Wondering if I should try ECT but from the research the depression usually returns and the memory issues are much worse... Has that been your experience?

TJ

That has been my experience. But It was amazing to me how great I felt for such a long period of time after the ECT.

skeeweeaka · Oct 05, 2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blameme

That has been my experience. But It was amazing to me how great I felt for such a long period of time after the ECT.

How long? Months or years? My T wants me to consider having the ECT, but my memory is really bad now and I am afraid I will not be able to recognize my dd if I have it!

TJ

blameme · Oct 06, 2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeweeaka

How long? Months or years? My T wants me to consider having the ECT, but my memory is really bad now and I am afraid I will not be able to recognize my dd if I have it!

TJ

About 3 years. For me it has affected my short-term memory and not so much my longterm memory. My doctor says that ECT patients need a recharge every so often and that the time frame can be different for everyone.

CedarS · Oct 06, 2008, 10:35 AM

What works for me:

good therapy
grounding techniques
self care
visualizing all trauma kept in a file cabinet - information available if I need it but otherwise kept safely filed where I don't have to relive or process it over and over again

skeeweeaka · Oct 06, 2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CedarS

What works for me:

good therapy
grounding techniques
self care
visualizing all trauma kept in a file cabinet - information available if I need it but otherwise kept safely filed where I don't have to relive or process it over and over again

Great info....thanks Cedar!

TJ

CedarS · Oct 06, 2008, 05:43 PM

(((((((skeeweeaka, blameme, and all of us)))))))

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Why can't I just forget?

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