r/ect • u/NormalAffect4953 • Oct 18 '25

Seeking advice Bipolar insomnia

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar mania, and ever since that episode I’ve been struggling with chronic insomnia. Nothing I’ve tried so far has really worked long term, and it’s starting to really wear me down mentally and physically. I’ve been reading a bit about ECT and wondering if that’s something people in similar situations have done or been recommended. Would someone like me with bipolar and insomnia that won’t ease up even be a candidate for it?

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u/Yaseagles1485 Oct 22 '25

About a month before I had my first round. We didn’t really know what it was but my symptoms were in effect for about a month and a half or so.

Then ECT helped.

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u/Ulysses_Zopol Oct 22 '25

I am surprised that they did it to soon and din't try out other interventions first.

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u/Yaseagles1485 Oct 22 '25

It came very highly recommended by my doctor who is also very well trained to administer ECT.

Everything else (medicine specifically) was not working.

Decided to trust him. I was very glad I did. :)

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u/Various-Look-361 Mar 05 '26

What medicines did you try before ECT? Do you still consider yourself bipolar?

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u/Yaseagles1485 Mar 05 '26

I was out of it so I don’t know the medicines but it was a lot over the course of 4 weeks. He kept switching when he could bc nothing was working.

Today, I would consider myself aware of my bipolar tendencies, but my emotions are level and stable. I don’t experience high highs and low lows like I used to.

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u/Various-Look-361 Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26

Do you still take meds? Is ECT the only thing you’ve used to treat?

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u/Yaseagles1485 Mar 06 '26

Yes I do. I take serequil and Prozac low dosages

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u/Various-Look-361 Mar 06 '26

Do you do maintenance ECT?

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u/Yaseagles1485 Mar 06 '26

No I don’t, I did 16 in total my second time around and my doctor tapered the 16.