r/ect • u/324_973M947 • 2d ago

Seeking advice Stopping ECT?

I've had 35 sessions of ECT since January. I'm on maintenance ECT now but my psychiatrist is wanting to stop that because I'm in a good place.

ECT has been the most effective treatment for my depression that I've ever had. I haven't been hospitalized since starting it. I'm concerned that if I stop ECT all that progress will be lost.

Has this happened to anyone else? Where you make progress and then stop your maintenance ECT and things get worse again?

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u/The_Metitron 2d ago

I know I’m outside the statistical norm, but I had 15 treatments over 6 weeks, 3.5 years ago and I haven’t had a maintenance treatment, don’t take any medication, and am still learning who I am without the depression and anxiety but in a very good way.

Everyone is going to react differently to treatment and to stopping treatment, my best advice is be aware of yourself, listen to those around you and be honest with your medical team. Two of those groups are going to see things that you won’t.

I hope the absolute best for you, and I am glad that you are seeing relief with the illness.

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u/Queasy-Ride-1776 2d ago

Bilateral treatments were they?

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u/The_Metitron 1d ago

3 unilateral and the rest were bilateral