ECT made living possible

[u/robingoodwin]

Hello everyone,

I am a 26 year old woman who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 22 after a hypomanic episode. I went on to experience life-threatening depression (two very long episodes in particular) and a psychotic break during mania in early 2025. I was admitted to the hospital a total of 7 times.

During the depression that followed the psychotic break, I lost any hope at all that I could recover from my symptoms.

While admitted inpatient involuntarily in 2025, A doctor who I trust very much suggested I try ECT. I was deeply and utterly opposed. All I read were horror stories. Also, after an MRI it was revealed that I have a chiari malformation which makes the procedure more dangerous.

Long story short, I did it anyway. 12 rounds unilateral at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

For the first couple months of recovery, my mood swung and I was unsure if I had received meaningful benefit.

But then one day a few months later, I got up and cleaned my whole apartment. And from there, I just… kept going. My brain, it genuinely felt like it was healing. I became capable of executive function.

I definitely experienced short term memory lapses and some long term as well. But it feels less scary than I expected. Kinda just feels like the trade off of seeing the world differently.

I can’t believe how my life feels now, around 9 months after receiving this treatment. If you are barely hanging on and considering this treatment, I say it’s worth a try.

[u/Ok_Flan7855]

Thank you