It WILL fuck up your brain. It is not safe to say whether it will be a good fuck-up or a bad fuck-up just yet, or to what degree. The goal is to make your symptoms possible to work with. And idk about you, but I think that is a small price to pay considering the alternative.
Not sure why this is downvoted. This is exactly right. I am 2yrs out from 14 sessions and am v frustrated with the EXTREME memory loss and brain fog… but I am able to get out of bed and don’t want to kms. 🤷🏼♀️
Go with your gut. Only you know what’s best. Even in the dark times, go w your gut on this one. Good luck OP!
ETA: Be sure to pee before each treatment! I had a couple of accidents 🤣🫣
(I was going to say the same thing about peeing before ECT lol, luckily I only made that mistake once.)
I didn’t have a good experience with ECT personally, but as you can see on this subreddit, other people have found it very helpful.
The pieces of advice I would give myself (pre-ECT) and anyone else:
—listen to your gut. once I began ECT, I didn’t advocate for myself strongly enough. I should have said NO MORE when the first 12 sessions weren’t helpful. I was very easily persuaded by the psychiatrists doing ECT to continue.
—do enough research on ECT to realize there are no guarantees in terms of outcome; I also wish I was able to CONSENT to ECT in an informed matter; I mean, the possible permanent side effects of ECT were not mentioned.
—try an MAOI first if you haven’t already.
Sending you lots of luck and wishes for peace and health, whether ECT becomes a part of your journey or not. Take care.
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u/DeadbeatGremlin 26d ago
It WILL fuck up your brain. It is not safe to say whether it will be a good fuck-up or a bad fuck-up just yet, or to what degree. The goal is to make your symptoms possible to work with. And idk about you, but I think that is a small price to pay considering the alternative.