What about Memory Problems?

The memory impairment with ECT usually concerns short term memory, not long term memory. In very rare cases, there is long term memory impairment. These are case reports from individuals. There has been no research that supports this experience, but because it is reported we consider it a possible, but rare side effect. Of course there are many other things that can cause long term memory loss, and it needs to be studied taking all the variables into consideration.

I can say that in my experience, I have seen only one patient who reports memory loss of events occurring about 20 years prior to ECT. This person is a reliable and truthful person. This person has returned for ECT despite her reported memory loss when her depression has gotten bad. She sees the benefits of the treatment outweighing the risk for her.

The short term memory impairment concerns events occurring shortly before and during treatment. Some people will not remember the referral process or how badly they felt when they started treatment. There are adjustments to the ECT treatment itself (lead placement, energy) as well as frequency of ECT that can ameliorate memory problems. For most patients, normal memory function returns within 6 months of discontinuing treatment. This has been very consistent in my experience.