Thread: Electro Convulsive Therapy

ECT is a wonderfully effective treatment, and does cause some temporary, short term memory loss.

There should be no, long term, adverse effects.

Hi Bodgy

Most of the psychs I have spoken to are of the same opinion. However quite a few patients are saying the opposite.

Hence the poll.

Thanks for your input. Can you expand on your post if you have some expertise in the field.

thanks

I can not remember IF I have had it or not, not, not, but I dont think there are any long lasting side effects

It was a while ago, but ECT was only then used for psychotic depression and the extreme phases of bi-polar disorder and occasionally for non responsive schizophrenia.

Whilst it has been demonised by the popular press it is quite safe, the most dangerous part being the general anaesthetic.

Without any detailed knowledge and having been in IT for the last 20 years, I would suggest that if your partner had a head injury then that would be the most likely cause for any on-going memory loss.

As I said, it was all a long time ago for me, best get a second opinion, if you're worried.

Originally Posted by dazzler

Hi all,

Seeing as there are so many users on our ubeaut forum I was wondering if those who have had any experience with Electro Convulsive Therapy, (ECT), be that personally or through a friend or love one, could you answer this short poll?

It is in regard to memory loss following the procedure or procedures. As some of you may know my partner suffered a head injury and underwent ECT some time ago.


Thanks muchly

Dazzler

G'day Dazzler
Hope SWMBO gets well soon. I didn't vote because i don't know anyone who's undergone ECT. However I found this snippet on the web:

Memory loss is one of the greatest concerns of people who receive ECT. Two different kinds of memory loss may occur during the course of ECT treatments. The first is the loss of short-term memory during the period of time that you are having ECT treatments. Some examples of short-term memory loss include forgetting what you had for lunch or not remembering talking to someone earlier in the day. Your ability to remember new information will generally return to your normal level within a few weeks to a few months after the treatments are finished.
The second type of memory loss that may occur involves memory loss for past events. Recent past events (2 to 6 weeks before treatment) are more sensitive to ECT. However, some patients may describe "spotty" memory loss for events that occurred as far back as 6 months before beginning ECT. This memory impairment is potentially permanent. Although it is rare, some patients have reported a more severe memory loss of events which date back further than the 6 months preceding ECT treatments.
Cheers
Mike
PS: My new shed is coming along nicely. Installed the roll a door frames today. Start the cladding on sunday.