ECT

[Atimetoheal]

Does anyone have experience with ECT and willing to share experience? Ty

[Stilltrying_]

No personal experience, though I have known people who have had it. It is definately used a lot less nowadays than it was in the past due to it being a very harsh procedure. Has this been recommended to you?

My understanding is that if you are aware that your depression is the result of some kind of abuse or bad parenting or personal circumstance or something anything that isn't just a biological brain chemical problem then ECT will not work. If everything else in your life is good, good family, no money problems, no immediate grief you are trying to process etc IE depression for no explained social reason then it could help. (ie if there is a biological cause for your depression which excludes thyroid problems and other physical health problems such as low vitamin b, anaemia and so on. )

The stories I have heard is that it zaps everything. You may improve on the depression but also you may lose some memory. I would think carefully about doing it but if you are desperate and there is no "therapy" issue then it's possible it could help.

I would be interested to hear other people's responses. There are very divided opinions about this therapy with some people claiming it has revolutionalised their lives for the better and others claiming it robbed them of memory and did not make any difference to the depression.

[Actionjnj]

I have had about 30 3 years ago I have long and short term memory loss I don't remember major incidents and happenings and continue to have bad short term memory loss

[beth9184 in reply to Actionjnj]

Drs have been trying to talk me into having ECT for years due to the fact I don’t respond to meds. I’m too afraid of it. Was desperate enough to get Ketamine treatments at $800/dose. Useless and waste of $ (used most of my savings!)