I have had them last two to three years...sometimes I will have mild episodes in between but nothing debilitating. I think the most I have ever had is two series in the same year. Nothing last forever even the meds have to be changed form time to time but I have always had many months of relief and I know two other people who have them when necessary and they have told me that they will always get them when things get severe. I hope that helps some. All I can do is tell my own experience and it has always been positive. I started having them in 2003 and get them when necessary. It isn't so often that I would think they don't work because for me they do. Best of luck!!

I have had many series of ECT over the years with the last set being in April of this year. I usually have anywhere from 8 to 16 and I always recover and feel much better. I have had some memory loss initially but it always comes back within a week or two. I guess I have been very fortunate and any time I have a serious depression or become suicidal the ECT always saves me. I am really sorry they did not work for you!!! Maybe you will find better treatments that work better for you.

In 2008 I was very unwell and ended up having ECT. I don't know how many treatments I had but I am convinced they fried my brain!!! I have huge gaps in my memory and my kids have told me that they were worried that they wouldn't get their Mum back. It took me 18 months to get back to work and even then I felt it was too soon. I have now been off work since Oct. 2013 but I have had my current psychiatrist for a year now and she has made a huge improvement in my mental health. She is into therapy not pharmacy and I am doing Art Therapy and making huge inroads!!! I will never have ECT again.

I had about 10 treatments in 2010 with short term memory loss but can say without hesitation that is saved my life. I hate that it did not work for you.

The thing that worries me Autumnbrand about ECT, is that it is not a long term preventative treatment is it? From what you say, you have had quite a few treatments, but I'm willing to try anything even if it's just short term relief! So very fed up of feeling this way for anything up to 3 months at a time! It's just so debilitating