How to Persist Through ECT Treatment for Depression

Back when I had ECT treatment for my depression (early 20’s), I didn’t know about the side effect of losing part of my memory. No one told me (this was before Google). I lost a good portion of it, but I remembered one thing from childhood that I wished I had forgotten.

That was the bullying I received from a teacher and classmates in first grade. It plays vividly over and over in my mind, like a broken record. I believe that’s when the depression started, and became worse over the years.

Medicines weren’t helping, so my doctor suggested electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Worse mistake of my life. I didn’t feel any different, and I lost a good portion of my memory along with it.

“After struggling for years, ECT finally gave me the clarity and peace I had longed for.”

What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

Using Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment to help people with severe mental health conditions. Such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and certain types of psychosis. It’s especially helpful when other treatments, like medications or therapy, haven’t worked as well as hoped.

During ECT, small, carefully controlled electrical currents are passed through the brain while the patient is comfortably under general anesthesia. This triggers a brief, controlled seizure, which is thought to create changes in brain chemistry that can quickly help improve symptoms of mental illness.

ECT is used to treat

ECT resistant depression

Resistant depression is when the depression can’t be controlled by medication or therapy. No matter how many meds I took, nothing would work. Basically, I just kept sinking further and further into the abyss.

I was wary about trying ECT treatment for my depression. I tried it, because it was my last defense against the depression. There was such disappointment when it didn’t work. The depression went deep into my soul, and I didn’t think I was coming back.

Bipolar

At the time, I also had bipolar to deal with. I spent money like I was out of control, and I couldn’t stop. So the ECT was also for the bipolar. Can you guess what happened…nada. I kept on having my highs and lows.

My ex-husband was so upset with the doctors that he was threatening to sue them. That was his solution to everything. Nowadays, I still have highs and lows, but it’s nothing like it used to be. They’re few and far between.

Schizophrenia

For me, the schizophrenia didn’t come along until after the ECT. This may have raised concerns about potential side effects or the timing of the onset. But yes, using ECT to treat schizophrenia is also available.

If it didn’t work for the depression or bipolar, I most certainly wasn’t going to try it again. I didn’t want to miss anymore chunks of my memory disappearing. They say you may lose a small part of memory, I beg to differ.

“Depression took everything from me, but ECT helped me take it all back.”

Effectiveness of ECT for depression

I’m positive that many individuals with depression have had ECT treatment for depression and are better off. It does work, but there are a few like me who it didn’t work for. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.

Here are some testimonials from Reddit:

dashtigerfang

•2y ago

Hi! I’ve had 55 ECT sessions and I have my life back. It has been amazing for me. I tried ketamine before it and got temporary relief but nothing was ever permanent until I started ECT. I was able to come off of all of my meds and live a normal, regular life.

QuietLandscape7259

•2y ago

I’m opposite. I had 28 rounds ECT and regret it. Didn’t help with depression, unlike Ketamine TX does. I lost short and long term memory and it’s hard to get my words out sometimes. I was valedictorian of my nursing class. Now I feel irrational and pathetic. On disability and social security, and now Medicare. I also have other Dx though. Don’t get me wrong, it’s helping a lot of people, just not me.

ECT procedure

What happens during this procedure?

During an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) procedure, the process is carefully controlled and performed by a team of medical professionals, including a psychiatrist, anesthesiologist, and nurses. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what typically happens:

Preparation

Pre-procedure evaluation: The medical team reviews the patient’s medical history, performs a physical exam, and explains the procedure.
Fasting: Patients are usually asked not to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure.
IV line: An intravenous (IV) line is placed to administer medications.

Anesthesia and Muscle Relaxation

General anesthesia: Giving the patient a short-acting anesthetic to ensure they are unconscious and feel no pain during the procedure.
Muscle relaxant: Administering a muscle relaxant to prevent physical movement during the seizure, reducing the risk of injury.

Monitoring

Connecting the patient to monitors to track vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, to ensure safety. Placing electrodes on the scalp to deliver the electrical stimulus and monitor brain activity (EEG) to administer the seizure.

Inducing the Seizure

A small, controlled electrical current is passed through the brain via the electrodes. This lasts only a few seconds and induces a brief, controlled seizure. The seizure typically lasts 20-60 seconds, and the medical team closely monitors the patient throughout.

Recovery

After the procedure, the patient is moved to a recovery area where they are monitored as the anesthesia wears off. Most patients wake up within 5-10 minutes, though they may feel groggy or confused for a short time.

Follow-Up

Administering ECT as a series of treatments, typically 2-3 times per week over several weeks, depending on the patient’s condition and response. The medical team evaluates the patient’s progress and adjusts the treatment plan as needed.

“Far from the scary depictions in media, ECT is a compassionate, lifesaving treatment for many suffering from depression.”

Electricity requirements

The electricity requirements for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment for depression are carefully controlled to ensure safety and effectiveness. Here’s an overview of the key aspects:

Pulse Duration

The electrical pulses are delivered in very short bursts, typically lasting 0.5 to 2 milliseconds per pulse. The total duration of the electrical stimulation is usually 1 to 6 seconds, depending on the treatment settings.

Frequency

The frequency of the pulses is typically 20 to 120 Hz (hertz), which is adjusted based on the patient’s needs and the type of ECT being administered (e.g., unilateral or bilateral).

Electrode placement

There are three different ways that providers can place the electrodes.

Right unilateral:This placement has both electrodes on the right side of your head. One electrode goes between your temple and the end of your eyebrow, while the other sits near the top of your head, just above your right ear.

Bifrontal: In this setup, placing the electrodes on opposite sides of your forehead, right above the ends of your eyebrows.

Bitemporal: This setup places one electrode near your temple on each side of your head.

“The relief ECT brought me was as if a weight I’d carried for years had finally been lifted.”

Electric shock therapy side effects

Short-term side effects

The short-term side effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment for depression are generally mild and temporary. Here are the most common ones:

Confusion: Patients might feel a bit disoriented or confused right after the procedure, but this usually clears up within minutes to a few hours.
Memory Loss: It’s normal to experience temporary memory issues, like trouble remembering events just before or after the treatment. The good news is that these memory problems usually get better with time.
Headache: You might experience mild to moderate headaches after the procedure, but they don’t last long and can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Muscle Soreness: Some patients might feel a bit of muscle soreness or achiness after the procedure because of the muscle relaxant used.
Nausea: Anesthesia can sometimes make you feel a bit nauseous, but don’t worry—it’s usually temporary and easy to handle!
Fatigue: It’s normal to feel a bit tired or groggy after the procedure, but most people bounce back and feel more energetic within a few hours.
Jaw Pain: You might feel a little jaw discomfort from the bite guard used during the procedure to protect your teeth.

Long-term side effects

Long-term side effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment for depression are less common, but can occur in some individuals. Here’s an overview:

Memory Loss

Backward Amnesia: Having trouble remembering events from before the treatment? This can sometimes include memories from weeks or even months leading up to the procedure.
Forward-moving Amnesia: Having trouble forming new memories for a while after treatment? Don’t worry—this usually gets better with time!
Memory issues are usually temporary, but sometimes a few memory gaps can stick around.

Cognitive Effects

Some patients report subtle changes in cognitive abilities, such as slower processing speed or difficulty concentrating. These effects are usually temporary and improve after the treatment course ends.

Emotional Changes

ECT can be a very effective way to help with severe depression, but some people might notice changes in how they feel or process emotions. The good news is that this is rare and usually gets better over time.

Physical Effects

Long-term physical side effects are very rare since ECT is a non-invasive procedure. That said, repeated treatments might cause a bit of jaw discomfort or minor wear on dental work.

“For me, ECT was like hitting the reset button on years of mental health struggles.”

Sum it all up

While they say ECT treatment for depression is fairly successful, I was one of the few who didn’t reap the rewards. I believe I would feel differently if it had worked. THerefore, I would have traded memory loss for a new, promising beginning.

Everytime I look back on it, I try to keep an open mind, but it’s difficult. I’m sure this post would have had a better undertone if it had. My depression is under control now because of me. I stopped playing the victim and started being my own advocate.

This didn’t happen overnight, it took many lost years. But I finally made it. My life is far from perfect, but I’m content with whom I have become as a person. All the mental illnesses didn’t defeat me, I defeated them! Peace and love. Until next time.