Liz
asked
Natasha Tracy:
Just wondered if you personally have experienced ECT? I had 36 treatments while in a profound depression with suicide attempt and psychotic features. It was finally discontinued because of total lack of effectiveness. Since then, decades ago, I have had significant and lasting side effects, regarding memory loss for before, during, and after the treatments, short term as well as long term, to this day.
Natasha Tracy
Hi Liz,
I have had ECT, but only nine treatments. Mine, too, were discontinued due to lack of effectiveness. I can tell you that memory loss around the time of the treatments is pretty normal. Continuing short-term memory loss isn't, though. I think it should be mentioned that mental illness itself can negatively affect memory -- I know it does mine.
That said, 36 treatments is a fair number and if it was decades ago, it was likely bilateral treatments, which is harder on memory.
No matter why you are experiencing memory symptoms, I'm sorry. I know that's really hard.
I have had ECT, but only nine treatments. Mine, too, were discontinued due to lack of effectiveness. I can tell you that memory loss around the time of the treatments is pretty normal. Continuing short-term memory loss isn't, though. I think it should be mentioned that mental illness itself can negatively affect memory -- I know it does mine.
That said, 36 treatments is a fair number and if it was decades ago, it was likely bilateral treatments, which is harder on memory.
No matter why you are experiencing memory symptoms, I'm sorry. I know that's really hard.
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Paul
asked
Natasha Tracy:
Your book is courageous and great; one of the best books I've read on the subject. I've suffered from lifelong depression, OCD, and social anxiety, and your book really captures the suffering of depression. I wrote a favorable review of it on Goodreads. I guess I have to put a question mark for this to go through??
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