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ECT/shock therapy and memory loss?

deleted_user
deleted_user
A year ago I was undergoing ECT (electroconvulsive therapy, aka shock therapy). I did a total of 30 treatment sessions between August and December. Usually they do between 6 and 12 treatments.

Anyone else go through a large number of sessions and experience memory loss? Did it get better?? How long does it take to get memory back????
ScaredandScarred
ScaredandScarred
I haven't, i am sorry but I have read that memory loss can occur as a side effect
I hope you find some way to get the memories back. Maybe with time they will reappear
xx
Community LeaderWanderingVet
WanderingVet
There are SOME cases where SOME loss of memory is permanant. It varies from person to person though.

You will get a more reliable answer from your Doctor .. I am sure.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have had sessions of 12 in 4 different perods of time. Yes I have memory loss and I have never regained it .. I couldn't remember how to get to places in the city that I had driven to many times and sometimes
even to hold a conversation and keep on track is hard. However saying that depression can do awful things to a person.
Good luck and I hope you regain your memory.

Debb
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's great your doing very well !
To answer your question I had ECT because I was extremely depressed also psychotic so the doctors felt I would benefit
from treatments to bring me out of this state.
I have a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet plus exercise
regulary . I have lost over 35lbs in the last 18months.
I'm not as dedicated as you maybe but this works for me and my
lifestyle.
akacountrygirl
akacountrygirl
Hi. I did 1 tx and had memory loss for over 6 months. RX can also cause memory loss.
I did research on ECT TX and YES it does cause short term memory loss.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I finished up with my ECT treatments just last week. I don't even know how many I had. My doc said something about 13 but I think it was more because I went through it two different treatment series , once at the beginning of this summer and the other was this fall. As far as the memory loss goes, I've tried real hard to not admit to having any but realistically I have. I'm not sure to the extent of the loss but I know that I have.
Heidiclark
Heidiclark
I had shock treatments several years ago. Not sure how many I had but it was more than 12 and less than 30. My doctor said that some of that memory loss is permanent, although I would like to believe that the brain can regenerate itself and memories can come back over time. Also I hope the ECT's at least helped you. They never worked for me although today I am doing much much better and am on my way to recovery from depression and trauma issues.
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