Depression, ECT, HFA ?

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Has anyone benefited from ECT treatment for depression? I have HFA and according to the new criteria somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I have chronic depression that I have suffered from for most of my life. I have tried MAOIs, TCAs and SSRIs and have only had some temporary help from the majority of them. I always end up being switched to a different one because of the lack of benefits. My Psychiatrist would like for me to try ECT treatment next. I have heard that the treatments effect memory and I'm afraid to have it done. I have tried dozens of pills that have many side effects but I seem to be troubled by the thought of having my brain shocked. Has anyone ever had ECT treatments?

Hi Deb1970. Sorry to hear that you have suffered from depression for so long.

I had a course of six ECT sessions back in my early twenties as treatment depression (this was a long time before I received an ASD diagnosis). It was recommended by my doctor.

The treatments were done under general anesthetic and so were completely painless. I don't believe that I suffered any memory loss (or any other side effects) as a result.

However, I don't think that the treatment helped me in any way either, even in the short term.

I am still troubled by depression but I think that this is as a result of the problems I face because of my ASD, rather than being the result of messed-up brain chemistry, so maybe chemical/electrical interventions won't help.

Sorry that I can't offer more encouragement

Apparently this topic is not interesting to anyone. I have decided to go head and get the ECT treatments. I think things would be better if I forgot my past and did not think so much. My memory is already poor and well maybe if I'm lucky I will forget that I have HFA ( Autism ).

Pm'd you.

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