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i got brain damage from electroconvulsive therapy.

Posted , 86 users are following.

sue_cunliffe1
sue_cunliffe1

In 2005 I was given 22 lots of electroconvulsive therapy. It left me with brain damage that means I will never work again. I was lucky because I got support from a neuropsychologist who allowed me to understand and come to terms with my problems. ECT can be used to great effect. However some people like myself end up severely and permanently affected. I want to use this place to link up with those like myself. So that we can support each other.  I don't say ect shouldn't be used. But people thinking of it should understand what can happen. The Information given about ECT side effects doesn't go into details, they talk about memory problems. Actually it affects far more than that. It causes cognitive impairment. 10 years on I need 12 hours of home help a week to help me care for my 3 kids. I tire very easily and some days I am able and feel intelligent. Other days if I have pushed myself and not been able to have a midday nap I struggle to do the most basic of tasks. Some days I'm not well enough to drive at all. Other days I will drive short distances. I was a doctor and well never work again. 

Please let me know if you have had similar problems. Or if your thinking about ECT please make sure that you understand what could happen to you. It could mean permanent I'll health on top of your existing problems.I am no longer depressed. It wasn't stopped by the ECT but by psychological input to support me out of my coercively abusive marriage.

16 likes, 269 replies

269 Replies

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  • judy81480
    judy81480 sue_cunliffe1

    Posted

    I admire your encouragment and survior attitude towards ECT "survivor",

    instead of a victim.

    I am now 57 years old, and I wish I could have any hope at all.

    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 judy81480

      Posted

      I'm still a victim, trying to survive. How recent was your "treatment?"
    • sue_cunliffe1
      sue_cunliffe1 judy81480

      Posted

      It's not easy. I was in a really difficult position. I was divorced and my ex wanted to have the kids taken off me claiming I was unsafe. I had no option but to get on with my life and fight for my kids. It wasn't easy. But 10 years on I have a life I has helped by a great neuropsychologist but we are all different. I think for a long time I really didn't understand how bad I was.
    • sue_cunliffe1
      sue_cunliffe1

      Posted

      Don't get me wrong. Today is a really hard day and I am absolutely shattered and I don't know if I can do the basic things that need doing. I need a lot of support from my partner and my cleaner. Ican't drive very far and on a day like today I wouldn't get in the car. The symptoms of depression and lack of hope can mimic head injury signs. I know my feelings today of not being able to cope are not due to depression but just exhaustion and my brain not working. I'm so tired I want to cry...I'm going back to bed to sleep.
    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 judy81480

      Posted

      Feel free to direct message me if you like. You haven't posted, I care.
    • j73484
      j73484 sue_cunliffe1

      Posted

      Suzie

      I suffer terribly with tiredness and very poor brain function but i tried sleeping it never made things better just sucks up what life i had i do know how hard it is try to do something you enjoy that will not such energy from you everyone has to keep acheiving something every day.

  • dianne71131
    dianne71131 sue_cunliffe1

    Posted

    I had ect as a child in the 1970s since then i have no emotions could this be a side effect
    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 dianne71131

      Posted

      I'm not a mental health professional. Based on what I know, emotions return. I haven't met a survivor who lack affect, unless they were like that before the "treatment."
  • j73484
    j73484 sue_cunliffe1

    Posted

    Hi Suzie

    I joined this website after reading your posts 

    I had ETC at 17 years old am now 55 nothing changed for me have not repaired apear to have same problems as you

    I have been diagnosed with Sleep apnea, Chronic Fatigue, Frontal Lobe Impairment after many years of fighting for tests and this all started through being diagnosed deppression which i still say i never was.

    J

    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 j73484

      Posted

      I'm so sorry. Do you think the ECT triggered sleep apnea or that was the underlying issue. This is discouraging.
    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 j73484

      Posted

      Have you been able to live a life without depression despite this brain trauma? I wasn't depressed either and was misdiagnosed and given drugs that caused depression. Now I'm very depressed from this assault on my brain and memory loss.
    • sandy46484
      sandy46484 sue_cunliffe1

      Posted

      I found this definition of Frontal lobe syndrome on this website:

      Frontal lobe syndrome (FLS) reflects damage to the prefrontal regions of the frontal lobe. It is characterised by deterioration in behaviour and personality in a previously normal individual.

    • sandy46484
      sandy46484

      Posted

      Frontal lobe syndrome is also caused by anti-psychotic medications.
    • j73484
      j73484 sandy46484

      Posted

      Hi Sandy

      The ECT did not trigger the sleep apnea as i have obstructive sleep apnea

      problem is with the airways in throat.

      J

    • j73484
      j73484 sue_cunliffe1

      Posted

      Hi Suzie

      Chronic fatigue diagnosed after many tests for other problems

      Frontal lobe impairment 

      Neuropsychological assessment is a performance-based method to assess cognitive functioning. This method is used to examine the cognitive consequences of brain damage, brain disease, and severe mental illness.

    • j73484
      j73484 sandy46484

      Posted

      Hi Sandy

      Yes this is correct i am very sensitive to light, sound and have a very short fuse any exercise be it mental of physical exagerates the syptoms very quickly.

    • j73484
      j73484 sandy46484

      Posted

      Sandy

      I do have low moods but my condition has never got any better particuly in the last 10 years i don't have a choice but to carry on and make the best of every day i have been to several group sessions for chronic fatigue and for cognitive difficulties for life style management to be honest they helped because of the other people with difficulties there you do not feel so alone. 

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