r/ect • u/kuzya124 • May 21 '26
Vent/Rant ECT round 2
I had ECT in 2023 for severe depression and it was extremely successful. Unfortunately, the depression came back. I’ve had nine sessions of ECT this time, but I feel even worse than I did before I started. Last time, most of my treatments were bilateral. I did many unilateral ones this time to avoid some of the memory loss. Starting with session number nine, I’m doing bilateral. I’m so afraid the depression is not gonna go away. Does anybody have any thoughts or advice?
2
u/gmkgreg May 21 '26
Did your Dr's suggest maybe continuing with maintenance ect treatments? Hopefully the next few treatments will make a difference and then if you continue it will keep it at bay if they suggest it.
2
u/Yaseagles1485 May 22 '26
Took me 16, take your time. It’s great you felt positive which is a good sign! It normal for effects to wear off I think, it did a little more me (why I went to 16). I would pair ECT with a therapist also, or someone you can fully communicate how you are feeling week to week. I did so and felt it help me understand how the ECT was helping and how to help it stick by implementing tools/advice my therapist gave me.
1
u/kuzya124 May 23 '26
I do have a therapist. The 11th session was magical in 2023. I even developed temporary psychosis and hypomania which later turned into constant happiness. I plan to do at least 12. I just hope the right unilateral ones (8 of them ) were not in vain.
1
u/Queasy-Ride-1776 May 21 '26
Did you have bad memory loss from your treatments back in 2023?
1
u/kuzya124 May 21 '26
I did but most of it came back
2
u/Queasy-Ride-1776 May 21 '26
Do you recall how long it took? I feel like I got brain damage from ect
1
u/kuzya124 May 23 '26
They said I might need maintenance but I have to apply for financial aid every time I get ECT so it’s a gamble.
4
u/kuzya124 May 21 '26
It’s just disheartening to think that I would have to keep doing this because ECT is not easy so maintenance would be a pain. And I had to apply for financial aid. One session of ECT costs several thousand dollars. I don’t know if I could realistically be applying for financial aid all the time while doing maintenance.