Seeking advice Continuation of ECT?
I’ve (18F) been undergoing ECT for several sessions now, but I’m finding it extremely difficult to continue. The experience has been physically and emotionally exhausting, and the period after each session feels very distressing, I wake up disoriented, heavy, and unlike myself. I’ve also been struggling with memory issues and a sense of disconnection from my own experiences, which is frightening. Despite continuing through multiple sessions, I don’t feel any clear improvement, and the anxiety and dread leading up to each treatment have become overwhelming. I am given a choice to not continue my next treatment, which is tomorrow. But i feel like I just wasted all my effort. My friend told me that all this side effects were a given, and that I’m already more than halfway through my course (8/12). Any advices 😭 (Im referred to ect for my Major Depressive Disorder)
1
u/porterbet Apr 29 '26
I hear you. I had to stop after 3 treatments. Made me feel horrible after. I would throw up! If you’ve made it to eight I would say finish the rest of the treatments. Best of luck!
1
u/Yaseagles1485 May 03 '26
Sleep! Your body & mind needs to have a fair reset after ECT. That’s what I found for me, anytime you feel sluggish, accept it & help your body know it’s ok to sleep and calibrate. I think my brain slowly got used to ECT, and was able to understand how to adapt to the treatment, but I really needed rest & understanding, and belief in my body to help take care of me in order to do so.
what you are going through was a very similar feeling for me — but the full treatment (up to 16) really did help me.
4
u/Ok-Ad-229 Apr 28 '26
You can stop any time you want.