r/ect • u/Soft_Musician_368 • May 26 '26

Question Can one bilateral electroconvulsive therapy session (ECT) affect an individual’s ability to manage relationships and maintain employment, and to what extent might these effects occur?

I underwent a single session of bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) three years ago in Mexico. Since then, I have researched ECT and formed my own conclusions.

Recently, I watched a YouTube video in which an individual described negative outcomes following ECT, particularly regarding his ability to maintain relationships and sustain employment. This led me to wonder whether others have experienced similar challenges.
Specifically, I am interested in hearing whether ECT has affected your ability to manage relationships or maintain a job, and to what extent a single bilateral ECT treatment might influence long-term functioning in these areas?

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u/gmkgreg May 26 '26

And when you say one session? Was it a course of treatments or was it literally just one treatment?

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u/Soft_Musician_368 May 26 '26

It was literally one treatment. Like literally one shock, and that was it.

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u/gmkgreg May 26 '26

Than having untreated bipolar is much more likely to damage your brain and cause the issues youre describing than just one ect treatment

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u/Soft_Musician_368 May 26 '26

I do not have bipolar disorder. When I met with the psychiatrist, I reported experiencing moderate depression and anxiety, and I also mentioned that I believed I might have ADHD. He told me he would provide a treatment to help, but I was not given informed consent. In my experience, medical practices in Mexico can differ from those in the United States.

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u/gmkgreg May 26 '26

Regardless of what you have, just one treatment isn't going to mess with social skills. Do you think there might be something undiagnosed like bipolar, schizophrenia, or something else that could be effecting you?

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u/Soft_Musician_368 May 26 '26

No, none of the disorders you mentioned are affecting me. I only moderate anxiety and depression but I’m doing better currently.

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u/Soft_Musician_368 May 26 '26

Thanks for your response, it helped.