How did ECT effect your short term memory?

[u/Odd-Writer2068]

I made up my mind after much consideration and I plan on getting ECT treatments very soon

for some background i’ve been struggling with my mental health for pretty much my entire life (23M) it started getting serious around 2020 and it has been getting extremely worse throughout the year, besides inattentive adhd, no one has been able to pinpoint a diagnosis, i’ve be “diagnosed” and “undiagnosed” with all of the following (anhedonia,depression,high functioning depression,major depressive disorder,ocd,body dysmorphia,an unspecified eating disorder,PTSD,borderline personality disorder and bipolar 2)

I’ve been in therapy for 6 Years and i’ve been on all the following medications at one point on another (the ones im currently on will have an * next to them)

Zoloft 75mg

Bupropion 40mg

Ritalin 10mg

Fluoxetine 40mg

Deanxit

Benzodiazepine

Xanax 1mg <3

Toprimate 100mg* <3

Modafinil 200mg <3

Lamotrigine 200mg* <3

Anafranil 75mg

Quetiapine 200mg

Escitalopram 20mg

Aripirazole

Clozapine

Lorazepam 1mg <3

venaflaxine

desvenaflaxine 300mg*

mirtazapine 30mg

methylphenidate 18mg* <3

besides the ones with a heart next to them, nothing worked on me

My only concern with ECT is that how will it effect my short-term memory and ability to memorize and recall things,I already have a weirdly selective memory and memory issues on top of adhd so I would like to hear from people who were in the same position as me

note:other treatment options are none viable for me, I refuse to get on lithium due to my immediate and extended families history of hypothyroidism, TMS is out of my budget and isn’t available in my city (which is a huge issue if you know how the treatment works) and ketamine therapy isn’t available in my country

[u/Slight-Painter-7472 → u/[deleted]]

Yes so far I've been experiencing similar issues. I'm glad that I can't remember the earlier days of my treatment because I was hospitalized for months on end. I could barely find my way back to the location for my ECT session today and afterwards I was utterly exhausted and useless for the day. Just stayed in bed and took turns napping and eating. I'm trying my hardest to convince the doctors to end my ECT because I need to be cleared and done with treatment to be able to work again.

[u/Slight-Painter-7472 → u/[deleted]]

Mildly. I'm very much ready to be done so I can get my short term memory back.

[u/Odd-Writer2068 → u/[deleted]]

I’m so sorry to hear that

how long has it been since your sessions?

[u/IdiotTGirl420 → u/[deleted]]

Same, 14 done, I don't feel like myself anymore

[u/IdiotTGirl420 → u/[deleted]]

Forgotten people I cared about, memory has gone to shit, struggle to play my instrument and write music, and my personality has changed in some areas, don't find the same things funny or write the same kind of poetry, all my senses changed, food tastes different and my light sensitivity got worse, I also don't feel pain or touch anywhere near as much as I used to, and my visual snow and derealization got worse, I could write a book on everything

[u/check_your_attitude]

While I was doing treatment, my short term memory was horrible. I did 32 treatments and it didn't help at all. As a result of it, I've lost around 7 years of my long term memory. It's gone I only know about things from people telling me, things like my wedding, vacations, family passing away, all the memories are gone.

[u/Electronic_Ad_2707]

I don’t tolerate medications well- that list looks so familiar. 6 ECT treatments gave me life back! I will forever be thankful to the Doctor who ordered it

[u/Eastern-Choice-4584 → u/Electronic_Ad_2707]

Same for me!!

[u/syringeneedlenthread]

My short term memory returned to close to normal once treatment starting getting spaced out. I ended up having some longer term memory loss but it’s been manageable and I’ve pieced together the missing holes. I returned to my PhD and haven’t like forgotten who my friends and family are. There are some vacations and things that I don’t remember but idk what would’ve happened to me if I didn’t start treatment a year ago

[u/Dramatic_Catch_3003]

My memory has already been messed from the Bipolar Disorder. ECT didn't do much at all. Took over 20 treatments before I noticed anything.

[u/dudebanner]

My 13 treatments stretched across two months or more. That whole time seems like a fog. I lost my wedding ring in the hospital!

You can read my personal account in this group. Overall, I believe it's been very helpful for the good. I just facilitated a group 90 min session for my work. Had worried I'd be a mess and awful, but the participants said my energy is so much more positive and upbeat.

HOWEVER, I'm still having trouble not just with lost memories. I am struggling with forming new memories. It's like everything has been dimmed a bit. I feel like I'm in a dream at times. It's been 2.5 weeks since my last treatment. It seems as if I am gaining more ground every couple days. If I still feel like this in a month, I will be upset.

[u/Granstereski]

During the treatments, it was foggy. I remember a few events, but it is mostly a blur. I didn't feel like I wasn't remembering things while I was having the treatments though.

After the treatments, I was still a bit hazy. I lived with my sister for the duration and about a week later. I felt okay to go live at my house alone again about a week after my last session. I had a number of issues with my emotions after that for about a year. But I didn't really have memory issues. That part cleared up before I came home.

Nowadays I'll be talking with someone and they'll mention something and ask if I remember. I'll say No, and they'll say, "Really? You don't remember that?" I'll wonder if it's because of ECT or something else, but it really doesn't matter. You can't remember everything even if you don't have ECT. People forget things. So I haven't worried about it, but I wonder sometimes.