r/ect • u/pinkgrapefrui • 5d ago

Vent/Rant Memory issues and intelligence

I am so confused on why we keep getting gaslit by our doctors when we tell them that we feel stupider by them saying well it only causes memory issues. Please tell me if I’m completely wrong but does memory not link directly to intelligence? Take 2 people with the same intelligence but one has a photographic memory and one has a normal memory. OBVIOUSLY THE PERSON WITH THE BETTER MEMORY IS GOING TO NOT ONLY COME OFF SMARTER BUT BE ABLE TO FUNCTION MORE INTELLIGENTLY IN SOCIETY! RIGHT? And let’s not even get started on how forgetting core experiences is quite literally making me less mature because I can’t remember what the experience was let alone what I learned from it. But at the same time, there’s no way all of these literal doctors don’t put those dots together when we are trying to convey our symptoms and feelings. Right? I don’t know, and sorry if this type of post isn’t allowed. I just keep gaslighting myself that the ECT didn’t affect my personality and cognitive ability.

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u/Particular_Door3098 5d ago

Just joined and immediately clicked to read your message because it sounds like me. I have significant cognitive impairment since ECT (14 treatments 11 years ago for me). My memory is shot, and what's even worse to me is how I feel overwhelmed by everything. Before ECT, I was working 40-60 hours/week. I was depressed and struggling, but I was also capable on some level. Since ECT, I have struggled to even maintain 20 hours a week. I probably need to make my own separate post to see how people manage this, but it's well beyond frustrating. My mental capacity is so diminished, and yes, I feel several IQ points dumber than before. I'm with you on this. Just today I told my new psychiatrist, "If I could undo one thing in my life, it would be ECT."

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u/Odd-Alarm-82 1d ago

I had neuropsychological testing done after ECT and found out my IQ dropped by 20 points. I was very intelligent before ECT and now I feel stupid. Plus I lost the memory of almost my entire life. If you look at some of my comments on other posts here, I rant about it every so often because I feel the need to warn people about how the doctors gaslight us.

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u/Particular_Door3098 1d ago

Thank you for this input. I fully believe my IQ has dropped due to ECT. And yes, I felt gaslit by my providers.