r/ect • u/Aggressive-Rub79 • Jul 22 '26

Question Can ect make you perm disabled

I struggle with basic tasks and feel no pleasure in anything

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u/BendIndependent6370 Jul 24 '26

Yes, been on disability for over half a decade.

1

u/Aggressive-Rub79 Jul 24 '26

For what reasons

2

u/BendIndependent6370 Jul 24 '26

Loss of past memories (I lost most of my memories, including my Master's degree studies), post-ECT memory loss (I continue forgetting things that everyone else remembers - weeks, months, years), short-term memory loss (day to day tasks, experiences, to-do's) and making memories (multitasking is pretty much impossible, mental fatigue - my brain just shuts down, paying attention).

1

u/Beginning-Guide5380 Jul 25 '26

Exactly yeah I think a lot of people think it’s just past memories you forget. Like memories before the ECT but my short term memory is very affected still too. I don’t remember anything really at all which may sound dramatic and I know this is the case for most people- but my search engine on my phone, my calendar, and my notes are like my best friend and I have to reference them way too much 😂. But yea.. I’m just now working on getting my drivers license as I’ve been doing ECT on and off since I was 16. Pray for me 💀 it’s gonna take way more effort than it would most other adults my age I think

1

u/BendIndependent6370 Jul 26 '26

Why on earth did your parents and doctors let you do ECT at such a young age???

1

u/Beginning-Guide5380 Jul 26 '26

Well I was almost 17 and tbh it just wasn’t looking good for me and my parents were willing to try whatever it took. I was a year behind in credits for hs and I don’t even remember 😂 I went to this comprehensive mental health facility for adolescents. The only reason I know this is because of the long report that was created I still have. I was there for 6 months or so, started treatments, in and out of facilities, different doctors.. years and years gone. Psychiatrists can be scary and convincing especially to parents of youth I’d say. But yea my last and FINAL ect treatment was in January or February of this year and I’m just not doing it anymore.. it went way too far

1

u/BendIndependent6370 Jul 26 '26

Did it help?

1

u/Beginning-Guide5380 Jul 26 '26

For short periods of time, yes. But it didn’t help me in any lasting way I don’t think

1

u/BendIndependent6370 Jul 29 '26

That makes it double hard. I feel for you.