65 year-old woman considering ect

I am scared to death that, once in the hospital, I'll be getting ect for many weeks, then coming back for maintenance. I'm terrified of side effects. Anyone in my age range have experiences they can share?

I'm 50 and considering asking for ect, but I'm scared my age will be against me. I had it when I was younger without too many problems and right now I'm drawn to thinking ANYTHING has to be better than depression. I'm really convinced it will blow my memory even though it didn't have long term effects last time.

There are lots of threads about etc in the Other Treatments forum, you could perhaps have a rummage around there to see what you find. There's also a seniors lounge forum so maybe you could ask the same question there too. Seniors' Lounge - Forums at Psych Central

Hi Lucy, I was nearly offered ECT and was very disappointed when another psychiatrist said it was not suitable in my case. It can be very effective in the right people, e.g with acute depression. I was ready to try anything. You need to have several sessions but in the UK it is often done while the patient is living at home as long as someone can stay with them after the procedure each time. I know a few people who have had it and feel it really helped them. Good luck with your decision if you haven't made it already. Age 46

I am 56 with depression since I was abused prior to 6 yrs old. I first sought treatment in my late 20s. Is ect what I think it is? My psychiatrist mentioned electro shock therapy last year. I maintained on Zoloft for many years but have had PTSD triggers in the last few years.

Please do not do electro shock therapy. You will never regain what the therapy obliterates, including what makes you..you.
I'm no expert but just a lonely depressed soul trying to keep it together like so many of us.

Lucy Goosey. I hope the best for you. I also hope to learn how to use this website to help myself and others. Peace be with you.

I am 57 and have been having ECT for 2 years. I started with a series of 12 waited about 3 months and have been having it every 2 weeks since. I get the treatment out patient and am able to go back to work right afterward. I have not lost memory although I know it can happen. I am the same person I always was but my treatment resistant depression is much, much better. Good luck to you!

I'm considering starting ECT.

I had severe depression for almost 20 years. It was resistant to everything ( meds ) that I was taking over the years. My psychiatric dr did ect about 25 sessions. I started gradually getting better. Lost some short term memory...of course not the past. But after leveling off on meds I was fairly well the next 15 years then it has recently back into severe depression..or should I say I isolate frequently..but am on I fair amount of meds about 7 different medication plus all the other ones for different conditions. Should I force myself to integrate with others? How should I go a bout with all the fears of being around people I don't know or situations I might encounter?

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Have you considered trying ECT again?

3 yrs ago at age 53 I was diagnosed with treatment resistant depression after 20 yrs of worsening depression. After many many years and 5 suicide attempts - I went cold turkey off pmeds for 8 yrs. Not once did I have a suicide attempt in that time despite horrible continuing depression. Mood stabilizers were tried with bad side effects. So pdoc suggested maybe I do ECT's. In research I saw 80% did well. What did I have to lose? So while working FT and into my 8th ECT, I wake up out of a trance so to speak standing with my son to be admitted to the psych hospital (ECTs are outpatient). I was in the hospital 5 days as pdocs tried various pmeds with fail once again. Now to add to all my other issues, I now have memory loss, I get confused easily and always feel agitated and argumentive. Still 3 yrs later (of course can't work) I feel hopeless due to no change and no hope of even feeling the joys anti-depressants give you. I would rather die honestly. I am alone, no one understands me or cares to. I am a good person and the pain in my heart is never ending from the emptiness I feel. I am so glad it worked for some. But with no suicidal tendencies - .

good luck by the way