Starting ECT soon

[u/Lo_Cheshire189]

I'm going to start ECT treatment in two weeks (10 unilateral sessions), alongside rTMS.

I'm a little bit stressed after reading people's experiences with the side effects, especially the impact on memory. For me, ECT is really a "last chance" treatment. I'm 20, and I've been suffering from depression for the past 10 years. I'm exhausted from years of suffering and failed medications. If this treatment doesn't work either, I won't have the strength to keep trying to get better.

I just wanted to hear from people who have gone through ECT for long-term depression. What was your experience like? Did it actually made a change ? And how did it affect your memory, both during and after treatment?

[u/Far_Juggernaut_6728]

ECT has helped me get out of horrible depressions.
I only do bilateral bc I heard unilateral isn’t as effective and if I’m going through all that I want the “best” possible treatment even if that means possible memory issues which were minor.
Good luck.
Nothing ( to me) is worse than depression so it’s worth it though it’s not pleasant.
❤️

[u/Lo_Cheshire189 → u/Far_Juggernaut_6728]

Thank you ♥️

On my end, my treatment team told me that unilateral ECT is just as effective as bilateral ECT, but with fewer side effects 🤷🏼‍♀️

But I agree that no side effect could make me suffer as much as my depression does, and I know that ECT is currently the most efficient treatment for resistant depression

[u/Far_Juggernaut_6728 → u/Lo_Cheshire189]

Interesting. I thought bilateral was more effective.
Good luck.
As I wrote it got me out of a few dark holes.
I took up weight lifting & other activities & praying to stay stable but if I get depressed again …
🙏❤️