ECT and memory loss

[Chase Miller]

I am considering ECT and am wondering what are the risks of permanently losing some memory.  Memory is very important in my line of work and I have many years before retirement.  Can you advise?  Thanks.

[mm]

i recieved ECT's over 8 months ago and I still do not remember things.  I would advise against it, for I have gone through it.  I have such an awful memory now, and before I had an excellant memory.  That is a bad side effect that occurred to me.

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Although memory impairment during a course of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is not uncommon, follow up data suggest that most patients are back to their cognitive baseline after six months. The degree of memory impairment during treatment and the time interval to return to cognitive baseline are determined by factors such as the amount of electrical stimulus used during treatment, unilateral or bilateral electrode placement, and the length/number of treatments. ECT is a very safe and effective treatment for Major Depression.

[e smullen]

How does menapause effect you memory?? If at all??

[JB]

I would not consider ECT unless you are so depressed you are just about catatonic and can't tolerate any of the medications that are available now. Maybe the memory loss is not permanent, and short term rather than long term, but why risk it? Of course that is just my opinion. I could be wrong. I worked on the mental health unit of a hospital that did ECT, but I'm no doctor.