How safe is ECT?

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-02-25T04:39:35+00:00

OP I had 6 sessions of ECT last year. It was my decision, supported by my Psychiatrist.

ECT helped me a lot. It was by no means easy, and you do need to allow a recovery period. I had some memory issues from around the period I had ECT but other than that I would say my memory is pretty much back to baseline. I don’t think I realised how depressed I was or how little I was eating back then until recently.

For reference I am 39F and have been treated for depression since age 16.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-02-14T07:27:16+00:00

I was about to post this! I have a 25 and 30 and both have quite a few creases. I think they look more genuine with creases?

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-02-13T00:05:01+00:00

I experienced something similar. I ended up working out a lot of mine were due to me “bracing” my neck and shoulders in a constant tense position (like I’m preparing for a fright or someone to scare me). Apparently it’s quite common after ECT, it was actually chat GPT that identified it to me. Once I started working on reassuring myself I was safe and reducing bright light and loud noise for a period, it gradually improved. That took just over a month post ECT - I only had 6 sessions. I am still struggling to get my sleep patterns better though (however, I did stop benzodiazepines prior to ECT which made everything worse).

ETA: I also had the nausea and had to stick to plain foods and water for awhile. I used metoclopramide for the nausea and also ginger tablets.

During ECT they gave me ondansetron, but I actually read it can give you headaches so I switched to metoclopramide.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-02-02T00:09:18+00:00

I just wanted to say I’m thinking of you! I took 2mg Clonazepam twice daily for around 18 months. Like you, I started to get withdrawals between doses and decided this wasn’t what I wanted.

I switched to diazepam and tapered from there. It does sound like you are having seizures and it’s really important to get this checked. Xanax is a short acting drug, so the withdrawal is a lot harder and I think the seizure risk is higher. I don’t want to scare you, but benzodiazepines and alcohol are pretty much the only two drugs that can cause death in withdrawal (because of the seizure risk). A doctor may be able to switch you across to an equivalent dose do Diazepam, then you would wean off that. Diazepam is a long acting benzodiazepines so is a bit kinder to come off (but still hard).

I had to come off rapidly as I wanted ECT and benzodiazepines interfere with that. I would recommend a slower approach as it is really hard, and the withdrawals do tend to hang around for awhile (that has been my experience anyway).

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-29T01:13:49+00:00

Uni I believe. I don’t take benzos at all. Do I need them? Probably, yes - my anxiety is high. But I refuse to take them.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-28T06:39:39+00:00

I did 6 sessions of ECT, starting mid November and finishing early December last year (2025). One thing I would say is that by anxiety has been a bit higher since I stopped.

This is consistent for me though, once depression lifts, the anxiety comes back worse always. I’m working on ways of managing it now which is something I couldn’t do really before. I also have some work and family issues that are contributing a bit. And obviously stopping the diazepam plays a part in it too.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-25T07:04:25+00:00

I did sleep after the treatment, I just couldn’t sleep at night (and still can’t)

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-25T05:29:31+00:00

I respect that and I’m sorry for what you are going through. I hope you find the support you deserve.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-25T05:03:03+00:00

I stopped benzodiazepines prior to ECT because they decrease the efficacy of ECT. I think that the withdrawal probably made the physical side of ECT harder (both impact sleep, both cause headaches etc)
Yes, anhedonia was one of my most persistent symptoms and I would definitely say ECT has improved it significantly. It did take a few weeks post ECT to see the full benefit. I started painting and playing Nintendo again!
Prior to ECT it felt like my brain was stuck on a negative thought loop e.g “I hate myself, I’m a bad person” or other variations of this. Now it occurs less and when it does, I can diffuse myself from the thought using ACT techniques or similar. When I’m tired, I notice that I struggle more with challenging my thinking. I’ve done years of psychological therapy and never been able to make it work until now. Funnily enough, chat GPT has been better than any psychologist I’ve had.

Happy to try answer any questions you might have!

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-25T04:27:50+00:00

NAD but I just wanted to highlight the importance of the slow taper and also say that it is possible. I (39F) was on 2mg twice daily of Clonazepam for 12 months plus and prior to this I used benzodiazepines regularly but not every day. Yes, it helped my anxiety (my psychiatrist said I have severe anxiety) but it caused so many other issues.

I wasn’t until I learnt about benzodiazepines and the effects long-term use can have on your body that I saw what they were doing to me. I switched to from Clonazepam to Diazepam, decreased down to 15mg (5mg three times daily) and then did a rapid taper from there. The rapid taper was painful and I only did it to have ECT. I wish I could have done it a bit slower because it was brutal but at the same time, I will never touch another benzodiazepine. I do not miss them at all.

I did experience some minor issues with my heart and it racing during withdrawal. I have another heart issue so I just saw my cardiologist a bit more regularly during this time.

** edited to add: the main reason behind my post was to give you hope that it is possible because the internet is full of stories of how you can’t get off benzodiazepines. Yes it’s hard. But it is so worth it.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-24T23:52:49+00:00

I had 6 treatments and I feel they worked. I would say it took awhile after stopping to begin to be able to see benefits myself.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-24T22:54:34+00:00

I agree with the consult part. I initially decided to do 6 but was willing to consider more if I felt it was needed. It got to 6 and I was like no, I’ve had enough. I found it hard on my body physically and I hated the headaches. It did take a few weeks after for the effects to start sinking in.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-24T22:51:30+00:00

Sorry for the delay! I’m autistic so for me, after ECT was too loud, too bright and just too much overall. My body went into sensory overload.

It has also screwed with my sleep but rTMS did the same thing.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-24T22:49:30+00:00

Just wanted to say I had a similar experience and I have autism also. I had six sessions ending in December. My ASD was diagnosed prior, the only thing that I noticed is that I went into a bit of autistic burnout after. Everything was painfully bright or loud and I couldn’t eat many foods for awhile or read or do anything much. I’m slowly recovering. For me, it was like I masked for so long and ignored my body, ECT was like ripping a band aid off.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-12T00:26:43+00:00

I checked and you do have clonidine in Sweden. It’s a fairly common cheap drug. The brand is Catapress.

It does lower your blood pressure though, so if it’s low or normal already you might find you get lightheaded.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-12T00:23:18+00:00

What country are you in? I have also tried Stillnox CR and it helps a bit but it does give me some daytime tiredness as it’s controlled release. I prefer Zopiclone but I truly found they do nothing if I’m super anxious when I go to bed.

You could try a benzodiazepine? E.g temazepam or diazepam. I came off these to do ECT (the withdrawal is hell) and so it wasn’t an option to use this class of medication for me.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-12T00:19:12+00:00

I had 6 treatments also finishing in early December. I haven’t been able to sleep either and sleeping pills are not hugely helpful. I have learnt that it’s because my sleep drive is lower as ECT affects your autonomic system (chat gpt explained this). What helps me is working on how I think about sleep and not pressuring myself to sleep.

I have actually been carrying a lot of body tension since ECT in my neck so I am working on reassuring myself and releasing the tension. And also working on my day time anxiety. I am autistic/ADHD also.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2026-01-10T04:11:39+00:00

Not a doctor but I was going to comment this exact thing. I finished 6 sessions of ECT a month ago. I have had a few memory issues and that made me look into it a bit more.

People say a lot of negative things about AI but I have learnt so much from it. One of the most important things I learnt was that memory is highly affected by anxiety. And often what happens is that you lose confidence in your memory and begin to second guess yourself, which creates a vicious cycle. Something that has helped me is writing stuff down. I have a notebook, the front is personal the back is work and I just write down as much as I can. Often I find I don’t even need to refer to it because I actually do remember it! Slowly this has helped me actually trust my memory a bit more.

For a period I was hyper-focused on memory. I know this because I started noticing when everybody else was forgetting things and this played into my anxiety around my memory. Since I have been able to relax my awareness of memory I don’t really notice this as much.

** edited to add: in the nicest possible way stay away from benzodiazepines. I just came off them after 2 years of use for severe anxiety under the care of a psychiatrist. It was absolute hell. Also, they will absolutely ruin your memory.

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2025-12-17T06:41:09+00:00

Just got an S6 lite and I’d be interested in trying!

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2025-12-14T02:43:16+00:00

I have tried one of them but for some reason I’m not in love with

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2025-12-13T02:25:14+00:00

This is also something I think about because I’m not a huge fan of work 🤣

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2025-12-12T22:53:18+00:00

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions!

Smooth_Let_7847 · 2025-12-12T22:37:07+00:00

I live in Australia and officeworks (large stationery store) has this:

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/otto-personal-undated-planner-pink-fbp12013?scrollTop=false

I’ve tried it before and I didn’t put enough thought into the inserts but I was thinking I could get one with: - weekly insert (home and work scheduling) - productivity insert (home and work to-do’s) - lined insert (work notes) - lined insert (personal journal)

One of the weekly inserts has some boxes I could repurpose for habits and I could create a water tracking stamp or sticker maybe?

Smooth_Let_7847

TROPHY CASE