I posted this reply on a different ECT video in the hope of sharing my experience in a straightforward, unbiased way. Long story short: ECT saved my life. It did not damage my brain. I'm now a mental health advocate in the early stages of my career as a therapist, and I couldn't be more grateful for ECT.
In 2015, after suffering through 2 years of debilitating depression, I decided to undergo ECT. I had reached a point in my illness where I couldn't keep myself safe or care for my basic needs, was constantly in and out of the hospital for suicide attempts, and had no quality of life. I tried literally DOZENS of medications with no lasting results. Therapy offered little benefit because I was too depressed to fully participate. There are no words to describe just how utterly hopeless I felt. At my worst, I would have gladly agreed to a lobotomy.
ECT saved my life by significantly reducing my suicidal thoughts and restoring my ability to function. I later learned that I had been dealing with bipolar type II, which explained why I kept relapsing on antidepressants. Mood stabilizers were a game-changer and ultimately enabled me to sustain the progress I made with ECT.
I experienced an unusual degree of memory loss, which was unsettling. But there are a few things to keep in mind: I had a pre-existing brain injury, was stuck in a traumatic living situation, and received bilateral (versus unilateral) ECT. Life at that time was so awful that it wasn't worth remembering, anyway. Regardless, if I hadn't received ECT, I wouldn't be here.
The misinformation, stigma, and sensationalism surrounding ECT is discouraging. I've never seen it accurately portrayed in the media. Yes, ECT does have a troubled history, but technological advancements have transformed it into an empirically supported medical procedure. We're not living in the 1930's anymore. I respect that some folks have had awful experiences with ECT, and I want to validate that it isn't for everyone. However, I find it frustrating when people misrepresent modern-day ECT as torture by electrocution. Some of these comments are deeply troubling, and I worry that they will scare readers away from the one treatment that could be their last hope.
Please respect people's autonomy. ECT is a very personal decision that should be made in collaboration with medical professionals. Let's not tell others what they should or shouldn't do when it comes to their treatment. If the idea of ECT freaks you out, you don't have to get ECT. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best in your recovery. You deserve to live life to the fullest. 🙂
From a 2022 update: I recently received a neurological exam for reasons unrelated to ECT, and I'm happy to report that my brain MRI and EEG showed no evidence whatsoever of brain damage from the treatment. At the time of this post (Feb 2023), I'm in the final year of a Master's program. All of my intellectual capabilities and learned skills are 100% intact, so I'm really baffled by comments insisting that ECT destroys the brain. 🙃
It is barbaric.. But if somebody makes informed consent to this, it is completely legit. If you don't mind losing your memories and have a significant drop in your IQ. American football also causes brain damage after all, and people still take the risk. Forced or coerced ECT without fully informed consent on the other hand is a human rights violation and should be considered a crime.
Jesus can heal depression in a second, just pray, follow his system, choose Him as your King and savior and wait for the healing. Jesus healed me from very serious depression following some very hard losses in my life. Look up Medjugorje visionaries for they claim Jesus Mother has been appearing to them for about thirty years giving messages to all people. ECT causes brain damage, be carefull.
I live about an hour away from a university hospital that offers this but, I can get in to try it. (Has to be in patient only). That's really hard to deal with, when nothing else has worked. So, I'm just stuck waiting for…idk what.
It piss me of that the person at 1:52 claim it work when other thing don't 😡it may work..or it may don't but standing there and smile and say like it works for everyone ut just f stupid and it have risks, some people have temporarily impairs short-term memory and others can have it for life 😡😡😡
I feel good now (until I relapse and need maintenance ECT) but I can’t remember many important things that happened in my life. My cognitive skills totally messed up and I am unable to work now because I can’t keep anything in my head. Then you receive your bill because your medical insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the treatment (I’m not talking about the US); ECT is robbery in more ways than one.
These are not my personal accounts (thank goodness) but just comments from the international people, I personally know who have had this bloody awful treatment and wished they didn’t.
"I chose to lose my memories and continue living." So it works by obliberating parts of your brain and turning you in a half-zombie. Is life even worth living if that's what it takes???
Seizures are NOT therapy. I was forced into mental hospital for hyperactive impulsive mania. They coerced ECT with a court order & family. My memory, motivation, education & IQ are wrecked. Neurological brain damage.
25 Comments
Was a miracle for my brother who could barely function. He’s living and loving life now, 1 year later. A last resort but it worked.
Give her shrooms instead
I thought we left this in Eloise asylum in the 1920s
Do they image study the brain so we can see the changes?
This was very helpful to me
shes awake. American hospitals are bad.
🙏🙏
i ned it
I posted this reply on a different ECT video in the hope of sharing my experience in a straightforward, unbiased way. Long story short: ECT saved my life. It did not damage my brain. I'm now a mental health advocate in the early stages of my career as a therapist, and I couldn't be more grateful for ECT.
In 2015, after suffering through 2 years of debilitating depression, I decided to undergo ECT. I had reached a point in my illness where I couldn't keep myself safe or care for my basic needs, was constantly in and out of the hospital for suicide attempts, and had no quality of life. I tried literally DOZENS of medications with no lasting results. Therapy offered little benefit because I was too depressed to fully participate. There are no words to describe just how utterly hopeless I felt. At my worst, I would have gladly agreed to a lobotomy.
ECT saved my life by significantly reducing my suicidal thoughts and restoring my ability to function. I later learned that I had been dealing with bipolar type II, which explained why I kept relapsing on antidepressants. Mood stabilizers were a game-changer and ultimately enabled me to sustain the progress I made with ECT.
I experienced an unusual degree of memory loss, which was unsettling. But there are a few things to keep in mind: I had a pre-existing brain injury, was stuck in a traumatic living situation, and received bilateral (versus unilateral) ECT. Life at that time was so awful that it wasn't worth remembering, anyway. Regardless, if I hadn't received ECT, I wouldn't be here.
The misinformation, stigma, and sensationalism surrounding ECT is discouraging. I've never seen it accurately portrayed in the media. Yes, ECT does have a troubled history, but technological advancements have transformed it into an empirically supported medical procedure. We're not living in the 1930's anymore. I respect that some folks have had awful experiences with ECT, and I want to validate that it isn't for everyone. However, I find it frustrating when people misrepresent modern-day ECT as torture by electrocution. Some of these comments are deeply troubling, and I worry that they will scare readers away from the one treatment that could be their last hope.
Please respect people's autonomy. ECT is a very personal decision that should be made in collaboration with medical professionals. Let's not tell others what they should or shouldn't do when it comes to their treatment. If the idea of ECT freaks you out, you don't have to get ECT. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best in your recovery. You deserve to live life to the fullest. 🙂
From a 2022 update: I recently received a neurological exam for reasons unrelated to ECT, and I'm happy to report that my brain MRI and EEG showed no evidence whatsoever of brain damage from the treatment. At the time of this post (Feb 2023), I'm in the final year of a Master's program. All of my intellectual capabilities and learned skills are 100% intact, so I'm really baffled by comments insisting that ECT destroys the brain. 🙃
It is barbaric.. But if somebody makes informed consent to this, it is completely legit. If you don't mind losing your memories and have a significant drop in your IQ. American football also causes brain damage after all, and people still take the risk. Forced or coerced ECT without fully informed consent on the other hand is a human rights violation and should be considered a crime.
1:11 I am doing ECT treatments, and I am still suicidal. It really is a last resort. It's painful… I think I have had around 40 treatments so far
Jesus can heal depression in a second, just pray, follow his system, choose Him as your King and savior and wait for the healing. Jesus healed me from very serious depression following some very hard losses in my life. Look up Medjugorje visionaries for they claim Jesus Mother has been appearing to them for about thirty years giving messages to all people. ECT causes brain damage, be carefull.
Can you help me i suffer depression nothings medicine can do it worst overtime please help me
I live about an hour away from a university hospital that offers this but, I can get in to try it. (Has to be in patient only). That's really hard to deal with, when nothing else has worked. So, I'm just stuck waiting for…idk what.
It piss me of that the person at 1:52 claim it work when other thing don't 😡it may work..or it may don't but standing there and smile and say like it works for everyone ut just f stupid and it have risks, some people have temporarily impairs short-term memory and others can have it for life 😡😡😡
i think plant medicine and mushrooms, ( medical ) can really help too
How about weight loss
I feel good now (until I relapse and need maintenance ECT) but I can’t remember many important things that happened in my life.
My cognitive skills totally messed up and I am unable to work now because I can’t keep anything in my head.
Then you receive your bill because your medical insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the treatment (I’m not talking about the US);
ECT is robbery in more ways than one.
These are not my personal accounts (thank goodness) but just comments from the international people, I personally know who have had this bloody awful treatment and wished they didn’t.
It may save lives but certainly at a huge cost.
I agree it is barbaric 😊
This destroys lives and minds!
Don't be fooled, please..😢
had similar after effects, although after every ECT treatment session i would need to stay on hospital beds for a night usually
how does it work, does it cure depression or wears off? does it last long?
"I chose to lose my memories and continue living." So it works by obliberating parts of your brain and turning you in a half-zombie. Is life even worth living if that's what it takes???
Seizures are NOT therapy. I was forced into mental hospital for hyperactive impulsive mania. They coerced ECT with a court order & family. My memory, motivation, education & IQ are wrecked. Neurological brain damage.