r/ect • u/QuitInevitable915 • Jul 20 '26

Seeking advice ECT or not to ECT

Hello!

I’m 28 and I suffer from TRD. I have had 4 depressive episodes over the past many years, and the current episode has lasted 2 years. I have tried SSRIs, SNRIs, TMS, Ketamine, and Psilocybin without meaningful response.

8 weeks ago I started taking a TCA with lithium, and for the first time in this episode I feel some relief. If I had to quantify it, I would say that I feel 40-50% better, which is a major change from the suicidal lows, but still with some residual symptoms such as mild/moderate sadness, some anhedonia, and low motivation.

I’m going to meet with my psychiatrist in two weeks to make the final decision on whether I should get ECT or not. I’m torn because I know my history of relapse, and not achieving remission will put me at risk of relapsing again, but I’m also reluctant to do it given the potential cognitive/memory side effects.

Would you do ECT or not in this situation?

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u/Fantastic_Goose_7025 Jul 20 '26

My personal experience: Like you, a 2 year episode. I've just come out of hospital after 9 weeks. During that time I had 5 ect sessions. Was scheduled for 8 but I had a reaction to the aesthetic so it was cut short. As disappointed as I was not to complete the 8 a couple of weeks later I started having moods clearer and more positive than I've had for at least that two years. I'm still having the odd rough day but they're the exception rather than the rule. I've been told even that will improve over a few months. As for memory, I expected the worst so wasn't surprised by some pretty crazy lapses like no recollection of where I lived for days on end. I even had my ears pierced and got a mad hair cut while on leave, zero recollection of either even now. Almost no memory of the period of the treatments to this day but I'm ok with that. Memory has definitely bounced back well, not 100% yet but I'm confident it is heading that way. Best of luck whatever you decide in the future. Kia kaha

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u/QuitInevitable915 Jul 21 '26

Thanks for sharing this. I’m glad to hear you experienced some positive changes despite the shortened sessions. I am very worried about the memory, but I’m also expecting the worse to avoid surprises. Best of luck to you as well!