yes ,ect is still praticed but with a less painful method there are also 3 other new treatments that are relatives without as much to none of the memory loss, they are TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation,VNS vagus nerve stimulation which is a small pacemaker like chest implant , MST magnetic stimulation therapy .

Well, if what you have tried so far has been relatively ineffective, that is when ECT is usually attempted. I don't know anything about the treatments chamelon suggests, but if it were me, I would try them first. They are less risky.
ECT is not near as bad now as it used to be. When ECT was first used, they used a stronger current, and no anesthetic, which was brutal. They are much better about this now, and the after affects are not near as bad. Any memory loss is supposed to be temporary. But I have heard complaints of it otherwise, that some people's memory loss has not been recovered, at least for a while. And I've heard complaints about burns on the scalp (which are probably not severe). Check back through the pages of this community (you can do this at the bottom of the first page after you click on "view all"- just click on page 3, or whatever is the last page of 1,2,3...and it will give you more of the in-between pages to click on) and also go through the "bipolar" pages if you want more info. I think there has been some discussion about it there, too.

ECT is still practiced and has been used more often than it was for some time. I had ECT a year ago. They put you out completely, so you don't feel anything and are not aware of the treatment. The side effects I experienced were a bad headache, an outpouring of emotions i.e. lots of crying for no aparent reason, and memory loss. The memory loss initially was more severe in that I didn't remember people coming to see me in the hospital etc. But a year later I am back at work and I still have some trouble with memory loss, both short and long-term. I had tried every medication and was in an extreme depression and ECT definitely worked for me, but the memory problem is annoying. Let me know if you have other questions.

I would have no problem trying this if all else failed. In fact, when I was severely depressed, I could not wait for my meds to work...I begged my Dr for ECT...he said no, had to work through other options first.

It is protocol for psychiatrists to try at least 2-3 medications that all fail before trying ECT. Also some psychiatrists are not up to date on ECT and feel less comfortable referring people.

i was wondering aboutect, my doctor wants me to do this, but reading on it i don't think i want to .i will check on these other ones you memtioned thanks for info.

ECT is still practiced, but where I am from it is done as a "last resort" treatment with depression.