Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
getbetterSenior Contributor
Hello I will search articles on ect but I wanted to ask if anyone has any recent experience and effects over time, months years. it is becoming an option for me that my psychiatrist wants to use and it's getting to the point if I don't do it she will section me because my quality of life and risk is now so bad, I don't use the term rock bottom as I believe there is no bottom for these illness, memory effects worry me the most.
In response to: ECT
getbetterSenior Contributor
hello@em22 thanks very much for your experience, the problem for me is lack of good information and peoples experiences good or bad, you mention you found medication that helps and this seems to be something that occurs in Au, that our psycs go to ECT after patients failing only a few medications, there are many medications and combinations that can be tried, I have tried many and at the moment may have something that is doing ok, the nsw mental health commission has engaged unsw to gather data on ECT use, efficacy , patient survey's and this is desperately needed, a figure often quoted is it is effective in 70% of cases, but what is effective considered to be, I have read studies that say the relapse rate is high 40% at 6 months 50% at one year relapse even with medication, I can not remember the relapse rate with maintenance ect, also there is a new class of antidepressants being fast tracked in the usa based on the effects ketamine has for depression, I am hoping they will work better for me, then there is the inflammation theory of depression which I believe certainly plays a part in my case as I have inflammatory conditions, how would ect address that? we need data on the potential efficacy of ect that considers those conditions.
In response to: ECT
TrueColoursContributor
In response to: ECT
MP15295Casual Contributor
In response to: ECT
MP15295Casual Contributor
In response to: ECT
avalynnContributor
Thank you for sharing your experience with ECT. I'm having my first treatment at the end of this month. I'm at the end of my rope. Being doing trial and error on meds for 24 years and nothing has helped. I do have situaltionl depression and anxiety but also diagnosed with Bipolar 2. Struggling with depression since I can remember. I don't want to live like this anymore. I'm desparete to try anything. I've done my research and willing to put up with some memory loss hoping to have a sense of meaning in life as now I have none. I feel like I'm only here because of my precious dog Luke. What is there to live for? Tired of struggling. No desire or energy to do much of anything. I use to have good days that lasted. What happend to me?
In response to: Re: ECT
MaggieSenior Contributor
Hi @getbetter i have had ECT. I was an involuntary patient and too depressed to be able to make any decisions for myself. It did not work for me and I have not regained the momory loss. I did however see other patients improve dramatically after ECT, so it's an individual thing I guess.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
