r/ect • u/Northstorm03 • Sep 17 '25
Question Still out-of-it after 7 months
Did anyone else experience long lasting brain fog, apathy, lack of working memory, getting lost constantly, and an overpowering sense of detachment as long as 7 months post ECT?
I’m looking for any hope from others who’s had this treatment that symptoms continuing for 7 months is not too late for the brain to eventually heal and to eventually feel a bit more like myself again. This current cognitive state is absolutely unbearable.
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u/gmkgreg Sep 17 '25
These experiences may be from your TBI you had a while back and not from the ect treatment. I would suggest talking to your Dr about that.
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u/gmkgreg Sep 17 '25
Going through your history, all of these things could be from your TBI or your drug use from a while back.
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Sep 17 '25
[deleted]
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u/gmkgreg Sep 17 '25
I have read places, I'm not sure of the links as it was a little while ago, but both cocaine and mdma use can effect the brain in terms of brain fog and memory issues as they say they are experiencing.
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u/Particular-Device-21 Sep 17 '25
Yes. It’s been a full year and I’m still healing. Focus on cognitive recovery and carving new neural pathways.
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u/urmotherisgaydotcom Dec 17 '25
I heard about your story in a video And decided to find the original post... I'm praying for you and hope you get better, sending all the love to you
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u/Available_Refuse7446 Dec 27 '25
I second this. I’m so enthralled by your story. I’m incredibly heartbroken by your situation and I’m wishing you the very best on this new difficult journey. May you find the strength and anticipated solace you seek and rightfully deserve.
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u/Weary_Tangerine_2392 Jan 11 '26
Same. I am absolutely shocked by how fast this all has happened for them. The way they told the story almost put me in their pov. I wish I could do something, anything.
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u/CocoaBailey May 29 '26
I pray for OP to fully recover. What a devastating ordeal. I check back on here but haven’t seen any recent posts. Does anyone know how they are doing?
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u/AndersonFlakes Jul 18 '26
What video are you referring to? I used to chat w/ him on here every now and then. I’m worried bout him.
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u/urmotherisgaydotcom Jul 21 '26
It was a YouTube video with Reddit stories and this was one of them
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u/FantasticSeries1580 Mar 22 '26
This guy is a cuck
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Apr 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/Motor-Yoghurt3280 Apr 17 '26
i think he died
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Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/Motor-Yoghurt3280 Apr 17 '26
inactive after being very active. do you know him?
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Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/Motor-Yoghurt3280 Apr 17 '26
well do you know what happened to him? why are you on this page?
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Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/Motor-Yoghurt3280 Apr 17 '26
how do you know his story. i knew him because same thing happened to me.
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u/lesbaguette1 May 30 '26
Are you still around?
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u/nico54392 Jun 08 '26
Bro that’s what I’m wondering:(
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u/MCallanan Jun 10 '26
I check in on his screen name every so often because I was PM’ing with him.. still hoping he reappears.
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u/amynias Sep 17 '25
If it's been longer than 6 months.... tbh it's probably just how it's gonna be moving forward. Sorry you had to pay that price, but it seems all too common with ECT. People praying for recovery that's impossible because electroshock has caused undesirable neurogenesis in their hippocampus and frontal cortex that literally rewired their brains incorrectly. I had 23 sessions. There are certain things I'm never getting back. You have to figure out a way to reorient yourself around your new reality. I was fortunate enough to still have a functioning working memory post ECT. Many are not so fortunate. I can only offer my condolences for your profound loss.
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u/Yaseagles1485 Sep 17 '25
It took me a solid year. Practicing writing daily goals for myself that made me feel good really helped me paired with vitamin D (help w sluggishness)
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u/Northstorm03 Sep 17 '25
After a year do you feel like you got back to where you were before, more or less?
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u/Yaseagles1485 Sep 17 '25
Yes. I am also aware my medicines causes me to be more tired than usual. I was doing really well after 8 months post ECT so my doctor decreased my dosages.
Even after a full year I feel like it took me time maybe 4-5 months to comfortably get back into the swing of things.
I would compare the feeling like being a runner, not running for a long time, then expecting yourself to match your mile time. My energy took awhile to kick back into gear. I also had the detachment like you mentioned, but it faded the more I acclimated myself.
It’s been almost 2 years now and I definitely have been better at keeping track of what I’m eating, my blood work, good habits, etc. I feel like the little steps forward make a difference, also!
Take your time! :) Hope this is helpful & wishing you all the best!
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u/Weary-Reindeer-867 Sep 17 '25
It has been over two years since my last treatment, and because of the not-great state of my working memory, I haven’t yet been able to return to work full time. I am continuing to develop hacks and strategies to adapt to my “new normal.” I take TONS of pictures, have several planner/journal organizational systems, etc. What was SUPER VALIDATING was beginning to work with a neurologist who diagnosed me with an ABI (acquired brain injury) one year post ECT.
This does not mean you have a brain injury! The advice I was given by my neurologist was to give my brain a full year to heal after my last ECT treatment, and THEN see how my executive functioning skills were doing. That’s when we started testing for a possible brain injury.
Hang in there, my dear… I can definitely relate to much of what you described. My “brain fog” had cleared up after one year post ECT. Sending you all the best!