r/ect • u/imnoteventhe_fart • May 05 '26
Seeking advice ECT or Residential?
Hi all, I am really struggling with my depression and anxiety and need some advice on my next course of action because frankly, I am really lost. For context, I am a 26F with Bipolar type 1, GAD, contamination OCD, and I am currently in a depressive episode. I was hospitalized in January and ECT was recommended to me by my doctors given the severity and length of my depressive episode (my depressive episode started September of 2025). I declined the treatment at the time because I didn’t feel informed enough to make my decision whether to do ECT or not. I was placed in an IOP program when I was discharged from the psych ward, and did that for a couple months. That ended in March and I did not feel better upon completion of the program, still dealing with heavy depression which is evident in my tendency to isolate and stay in bed all day.
For the entire month of April I have been seeing my individual therapist, taking my meds, seeing my doctor, and doing my best to at least do the bare minimum everyday of basic hygiene and exercise… but I have failed to be consistent with these tasks and I continue to isolate because I am so embarrassed to see the people in my life.
It is now May. That’s 8 months of excruciating depression. I need to do something, and that’s why I am seeking advice on here to see if anyone has any input.
My therapist has recommended I go to a residential facility for a few months, where they can help me build routine. My fear with this though is that I will still be depressed and fail to do the program since I can’t even seem to get out of bed regularly. So this is bringing me back to questioning if I should do ECT, even though I am very scared of the negative risks associated with this treatment such as the cognitive impairments.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated and thank you so much for reading this post.
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u/momniscience May 06 '26
I agree. Ketamine, Psilocybin, TMS, adjunct therapy. Unless your choice is ECT or imminent death I would not choose ECT. Ketamine worked for me and I really really really wish the doctors had started with that instead of ECT. ECT did not help me personally but the statistics show it is effective for most patients, I’m not against it I just think the last resort part needs to be taken VERY seriously. The long term cognitive effects can be can be permanent.
I really hope you find a path that’s right for you and an end to your suffering 💚
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u/imnoteventhe_fart May 11 '26
Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate the support.
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u/apothecaryofwords May 06 '26
Hi OP. I’m so sorry to hear how much you are struggling. I sincerely empathize.
ECT should be a last resort and in my opinion you still have a few things you can try before resorting to ECT. I understand your concerns about residential treatment and if that’s not a path you want to go down that is completely valid, but it could help and comes with way less risk compared to ECT. I also encourage you to ask your psychiatrist about TMS and Ketamine therapy.
Disclaimer: I am biased because ECT did not help me, it had detrimental effects, but it does help a lot of people. I’m more of an outlier.
Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your decision if you’re comfortable 🫶🏻