Have you tried electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for bipolar disorder?

Hello @Lisa2571‍, thank you for opening this discussion. I've moved it to our treatments group for more visibility.

If you haven't seen it yet, we published an article a few months ago on ECT that you may find helpful: What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? 

Hi everyone, have any of you undergone ECT to treat your bipolar disorder? If so, can you share about your experience? Has it helped you?
@Crystal0775‍ @mgreee918‍ @Berrtnayy‍ @carrie072‍ @justjet‍ @Lisa2571‍ @BabySavy‍ @Sarabelle97‍ @Cheriann63‍ @Cheriann63‍ @Suzang‍ @carebalo95‍ @Justy24‍ @shgreen‍ @Kimmie!‍ @Debioco57‍ @Houndawg‍ @Dwaters1001‍ @Dlcarranza‍ 

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

Yes, I had ECT early on after a suicide attempt, worst experience of my life. I had 22 treatments instead of the recommended 12. If it weren’t for a friend stepping in, I believe the dr would have kept doing them. Turned me into a zombie for 3+ years, stole most of my memory which never came back, as well as my short term memory. It is an archaic treatment that should be banned. I would never subject my family or friends to such torture.

No I haven't had that treatment. I would not try it. So many horror stories that go with it. Scary stuff. I don't trust it.

I had ECT. I was inpatient and had numerous treatments. Idk how many. Then I had numerous out patient treatments. I guess I was severely depressed and suicidal. It did pull me out of the deep depression but I was still depressed. I have no recollection of that time period or being in the hospital. I do remember some of the out patient. It was very traumatic. It has taken away so much memory. I can’t remember most of my life. My daughter growing up. Short term memory shot. It’s a huge trade off I guess because I guess I’m not suicidal but at the time I went into the hospital I was in a relationship with a man and when I got out I was like a different person. We are not together now but he tells me that when he first kissed me I said it felt weird. I have no attraction to him and can’t imagine that I was even with him that way. It is life changing!