i got brain damage from electroconvulsive therapy.

Hi Sue,

I have been struggling with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD, agoraphobia, and other "diagnosis" . I noticed having anxiety attacks in 2 grade, my parents noticed my lack of socialism, anxiousness at school. They said they didn't realize what it was at that time. I struggle very, very hard in school. I was anerexic at 15, started smoking around 12yrs. Old. I was also a cutter. I started to see a therapist and psychologist at 16 at parents request. That's when it got worse, I was put on so many meds and trying different meds, I gained so so much weight that made it even worse. I closed myself off from everyone. I'm an insomniac so always up and I would have episodes of crazy PTSD flashes, anxiety attacks, couldn't be in my own skin. I would shower and scrub crazily all over to get that feeling off. I cryed all the time, severally depressed. So many things. I seen many med docs, tried them all, while feeling worse and worse. Symptoms just got worse. Finally around 2012-2013 I did ECT. First a month, month in a half straight. Then every Friday. For months n months. I was still on quiet a few meds. I had to leave work for these treatments n I wasn't able to come back to work BC I was worse per my doc n myself. I've been/done doing out pt therapy, where u have to go for 7-10 days. I've done DBT for 2 years, still seeing a counciler on a weekly basis, still on 8 antidepressant/antianxiety/mood stabilizers /Ambien. I have had a problem with my memory since I had ECT done. They also told me it wouldn't last. Well it has, my family sees it. But just recently I had/having sever issues with my meds. Causing weird behavior, hand movements, speech, vision, sever sweating, swollen fingers, tingling/numbness in my first finger and thumb, trouble eating, tremors, dialated pupils on and off, double vision for 9 hrs straight one time. Just a lot of issues, I think its a side effect of some meds. I'm trying to get off as much as I can. Now I'm only on 5. But the discussion about ECT, I was wondering could the ECT be the cause of my memory problems, headaches, hand writing has changed, it used to be very neat, now its terrible. I noticed that after it. I feel like I'm a totally different person. Not in a good way either. I'm more short tempered, irritable, moody, I think negative all the time when I used to be very optimistic and positive. My husband had even noticed. I'm now 33 and am still struggling to be a normal person.

I'm looking for help or suggestions.?? Can any one relate?

Hi Suzie,

What you wrote is almost exactly how I have been feeling.  Started ETC a year ago.  It definately helped.   I have been having maintance treatments , about 6 to 8 weeks,  since July.  The last 3 treatments I have had I have hurt physically and been emotionally distraught the next day. I have permanent memory loss and I'm now have issues remembering daily things.  And yes how I feel on each given day is a toss of a coin. I may be able to function or I could be a crying mess or just sit and stare.   I keep asking my ECT doctor and other doctors why?  What is happening.  My ECT doctors recommendation is to have a "Bump"  Three treatments in one week again.  I am terrified.  My other pshyciatrist is recommending additional medications.  I just want the same thing I've always wanted.  To be able to be productive and financially and physically take care of myself.  To have joy in my life again.  When I do feel the joy I hang on and enjoy it as long as possible.

Do you think I should do the 3?  What can I do to help me out of this hole and move forward with my life

Thanks for listening

I had 11 ECT for severe depression in 1975. I was due to have another one but I refused as I had extreme headaches and memory loss after number eleven treatment.

I get on-going headaches, poor concentration and frequent long term memory loss to this day. I am sure that the dosage i received during the 11th ECT is responsible for the above.

I was OK prior to my last ECT at which point I woke up with undescribable right lobe headache. i don't know if I had unilateral or bilateral treatment on this occasion. The headaches I get are worse than toothache. I just want to cry!

Over the years I have taken many different painkillers. Thankfully I do get some relief from Co-codamol sometimes. Even tramadol or morphine have no effect whatsoever.

I get annoyed with doctors when they say that ECT does not cause any impaiment. Most people tend to be alright but this is NOT the case for everybody.

Why was I ok until I received number 11 ECT?

It has caused brain damage without a shadow of doubt!

(Excuse any spelling mistakes as this has been a long-term problem too.)

I completely understand what all are going thru. About 2 years ago I was given ect's. I nor my family knows why. I had been treated for several years for mild depression nothing major. I changed Dr but same practice so It would be closer to home. That's when the stuff started I don't understand. For about a year he kept changing and adding meds and I was doing what the Dr said. I should have checked because he had me on so many controlled drugs like xanax 4 x a day, high doses of ambien at night and several other meds during the day. I had only been taking antidepressant from other Dr. After months of taking half the time I didn't know what was going on half the time and was finding signs that I'd been doing things during the night outside and calling people all hours. Once I accidentally took too many thyroid pills totally didn't remember over and over again. Once I realized it I went to er and explained. Asked if I was suicidal and I said absolutely not that if I was interested had lortab and morphine (from pain clinic). But recently found out I now have a suicide diagnosis on my records by my Dr. Anyway, about the ect's I have no memory of going to hospital, the weeks there and actually I lost a total of about 6 months completely. Nothing. My family couldn't find me and eventually found my car at hospital and they had to let them know that if they couldn't put them in touch with me (understand privacy issues are important but these were my grown sons and 1 is on record to release info) they were filing missing person report there. Nothing was discussed with family prior and I never would have agreed because I know couple people who have and was horrible. I don't remember going home, staying several weeks at friends. Then the Dr dropped me as a patient about a month after hospital and of course I have no memory of or why. It's now 2 years later and memory has not improved, I'm very easily confused and can't concentrate on anything, can't remember the simplest things especially commonly used words, constantly making lists to help but I lose them etc. The list is too long to list but thankfully with new Dr, basic meds and my primary care listening I hope to get better or at least not keep getting worse. Neurologist sent for MRI today and I have an eeg and appt to go over it all tomorrow. I wish there was a pill that would stop the progression but I'm afraid to get my hopes up. I thought I was going crazy and was alone but so glad to hear other stories like mine but breaks my heart that anyone else is going thru same. Looking back with family filling in the blanks, I think being over medicated should have made me run opposite direction of this Dr! Thanks for listening and praying for us all!

Hi, thank you for the information.  I just got home from 2 1/2 weeks in a mood disorders unit and received 7 etc treatments for nuerological, pain, and depression. I am having a very hard time, didn't recognize my own home, my closes in my closet or know who our president was.  I got lost going to the doctor.  Thank goodness I wasn't driving. I have horrible headaches, balance issues get worse when I'm tired and my memory is beyond horrible.  I don't even remember my coworkers names let alone my job. I work in the public and don't know how I'm going to ever do my job.  My emotions are out of control right now.  I think most of it is from memory loss.  I don't remember thanksgiving and I came home on Tuesday right before it. I appreciate what you have shares as I have no idea how I'm to react except move forward the best way I can.  They may have given me information on memory loss etc in the hospital but I don't remember.  I don't know where to begin.  I am doing my best to control my moods.  The more tired I am the worse everything is. Thank you!

Hi, I'm in the US and I have brain damage from ECT. I recently discovered that the dr made a "mistake" giving me 100% electricity, when I had been receiving 40%. Just one treatment, it was the beginning of the end for me. All of these posts are old, is anyone still on here?

Hi Sue,

I like you am an electroshock survivor.  I received it for the first time 3 days after giving birth to my first child.  It was because of the mal treatment I receive during labour that I was amazingly deemed to be in need of this brain damaging medical intervention in the first place.   This happened  in the late 70's and it was not until 2000 that I came to realized all the damage that psychiatrists and doctors did to me over more than three decades.

It is common sense that to induce an electrical seizure has to cause brain damage.  It is also common sense that we need all the power nature has bestowed on us to overcome the trial and tribulations of life and living.   Unfortunately many doctors seems to lack common sense.

Unlike you it is my opinions and the opinion of many others that doctors should not supply electroshock in the first place.  Anything that does more harm than good should not be part of a healers toolkit.   Brain damage of course does more harm than good.   To damage a person's brain with intention makes no sense but it can reward those who cause it handsomely!

Thank you for all you are doing to inform the public of its brain damaging, terrible effects.   Hopefully the time will come when people will vote with their feet and end this barbaric practice!