The most disconcerting side effect of ECT is permanent memory loss. Psychiatrists and facilities that practice ECT will be found to universally minimize the risk. Typical of the patient information materials used to ease patient fears and provide “informed consent” is the text below, found on an ECT facility’s website [1].
The most common side effects of ECT are muscle aches, headaches, and nausea. Our team will give you medications to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
ECT also may cause cognitive side effects, including brief periods of memory loss or confusion. Confusion may last for a few hours or days after a treatment session. Memory problems usually resolve within a month or two of ending ECT treatment.
ECT rarely causes long-term side effects. Our specialists will take every precaution to minimize side effects as much as possible.
Is this an accurate an accurate assessment of the risk faced by an ECT patient? Dr. John Read is Professor in the Department of Psychology & Human Development at the University of East London. He has published multiple reviews of the research literature covering ECT safety and efficacy. According to Dr. Read,
ECT causes persistent/permanent memory loss and brain damage in a substantial proportion of recipients, somewhere in the range of 12% to 55%. – John Read M.A., Ph.D. [2]
What do ECT survivors say? Not uncommon experiences include:
- Loss of the memories of one’s family and loved ones (spouses and children are now strangers to you),
- Loss of one’s education
- Loss of one’s professional skills.
- Loss of the ability to create new memories (anterograde amnesia). Inability to remember recent events or learn new things.
Survivor Stories
Survivors report catastrophic, life altering memory damage after ECT:
Due to electroshock, memories of the day of my wedding, the birth of my children, etc. are lost to me. I do not keep photos of my family up in my home. It is too painful as I cannot tie memory to the events in the photographs. - Deborah Schwartzkopff, ECT survivor [3]
My cognition was so bad that I couldn’t go anywhere – I would get lost going anywhere. … They said that everything would be short term, short-term memory problems and all the memories would come back. So, I really believed them. But still to this day I have not one memory of my high school, my middle school, my childhood, everything. It’s a constant identity crisis every day. I don’t really know who I am. I was an honor roll student in high school, my junior and senior year. After shock, my IQ was measured at 78. 75 is rendered mentally retarded. Shock for me ruined a lot of who I am. – Kenny, ECT survivor [4]
My memory was severely damaged both long and short term. Prior to this I was an accomplished pianist and had taught others to play piano. One of the pieces I played for examinations was Beethoven's Pathetique sonata which comprised three difficult movements. After the damage it was as if I had never played it before. It was difficult to enjoy music as I once had. I re-learned and taught again but never could play like I did prior to my first encounter with psychiatry. - Mary Maddock, ECT survivor [5]
I lost a lot of memory – of my children’s lives, and my professional career as a musician. It was a life-changing, devastating experience for me. – Nancy Rubenstein, ECT survivor [6]
It felt like my brain had been taken apart and put back together. I lost all sense of time; my vision became distorted. I couldn’t take care of myself anymore; I couldn’t find words. - Jane Rice, ECT survivor [7]
I have almost no short-term memory after ECT. I can forget an action seconds after doing it, like locking a door or turning on the stove to make tea. Over the years, I’ve accidentally melted several tea kettles because I’d turn on the burner, get distracted, and completely forget about it—only realizing my mistake after it was too late. – Anna, ECT Survivor [8]
Have you suffered significant memory loss after ECT? Were you misled as to the risk of severe, long-term memory loss after ECT? Did your psychiatrist attempt to gaslight you when you tried to report that ECT caused you troubling memory loss?
References
[1] University of Utah, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, “ECT Side Effects: Long-Term”, https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/treatments/electroconvulsive-therapy.
[2] John Read, M.A., Ph.D. “Expert Report by John Read, M.A., Ph.D.”, April 20, 2021, https://www.wisnerbaum.com/documents/thelen/Exh.-02-Dr.-John-Read-ECT-Testimony.pdf
[3] Deborah Schwartzkopff, “The Impact of Electroshock on My Life”, https://ectjustice.com/impact-electroshock-life/
[4] “Electroshock (ECT): True Story Kenny”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp5ODRCyDCM&t=6s
[5] Mary Maddock in interview by KBOO host, Paul Roland, “Electroshock Revisited, with Three Survivors”, https://kboo.fm/media/66162-electroshock-revisited-three-survivors
[6] PsychRights YouTube Channel, “Nancy Rubenstein on the May 16, 2015 International Protest of Electroshock”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGP-LznwR7A&t=14s
[7] Jane Rice in interview by KBOO host, Paul Roland, “Electroshock Revisited, with Three Survivors”, https://kboo.fm/media/66162-electroshock-revisited-three-survivors
[8] Anna, “Memory Problems and Cooking Safety After ECT”, https://lifeafterect.org/memory-problems-and-cooking-safety-after-ect/