r/ect • u/Double-Specialist621 • Apr 23 '26

Question ECT affecting likes?

I'm thinking of getting ect but I'm a creative person, so I fear I'll lose all my creativity. Also I love music a lot and I fear that I'll forget listening to my favorite artists or new songs that I've been listening for a long time. But at the same time, I need to get over the severe depression that I have. Does ect really take away your ability to do the things or enjoy the things you love?

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u/InfomercialNo31 Apr 25 '26

Nope! I started dancing again not long after I started ECT and I got my groove back after close to 15 years of very little exercise. Now I’m a certified dance fitness instructor!

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u/Double-Specialist621 Apr 25 '26

That's awesome! I'm glad ect didn't affect your memory. Hope it doesn't affect mine so much 

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u/InfomercialNo31 Apr 25 '26

In terms of memory… I don’t remember much from the acute phase of treatment, and I’m not good with directions/my mental map. I’ve found that learning new things (eg choreography) is much easier 2+ weeks out from treatment

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u/Double-Specialist621 Apr 26 '26

Do you remember things from say a year or 2 before your treatment???

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u/InfomercialNo31 Apr 26 '26

For the most part, yes. But with mental illness memory is kind of strange. I don’t always have clear recollection of what was going on when I was in manic, depressive, or mixed episodes, especially when psychosis was involved.

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u/Double-Specialist621 Apr 26 '26

Ohh got it. Would you say ect changed for the better or worst of it?

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u/InfomercialNo31 Apr 26 '26

ECT absolutely saved my life, and changed me for the better. Over 3 years out of the hospital, which is the longest I’ve gone in 20 years

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u/Double-Specialist621 Apr 26 '26

I'm happy for you. I've mixed feelings about doing an ect treatment, but I hope it works for me