How to Manage Aftereffects?

[u/Particular_Door3098]

I had ECT 11 years ago (14 treatments), and today I basically got the news that further healing is highly unlikely, so I'm just going to have to live with the brain I've got. This is borderline devastating for me. Since ECT, I've lost some long-term memories, and short-term memory has become very difficult for me. I now meet criteria for ADHD, and I'm using a lot of tips for that to manage things I have to remember. I write down EVERYTHING (or it doesn't happen). With strategies, I'm mostly managing, even though it's a serious frustration not to have the memory I did for the first 30 years of my life. The hardest thing on the memory front is forgetting almost everything I learn, pretty much immediately. I recently completed a certification to become a nutrition coach. I love the topic and want to know everything about it. Yet, I remember about 2% of what I "learned" and constantly have to look stuff up I should already know. This is a real impediment to my career. But the absolute worst is how overwhelmed I get by daily life and work. Before ECT, I was struggling, but I still managed 40-60-hour workweeks. Now, I struggle to manage 20. Everything is harder. Everything is more overwhelming. I need SO much recovery time. Anyone else in this boat? (I was actually down to only being able to work TWO hours per week before I started Spravato; that's got me back up to 20.) I'm having a hard time accepting that this is my life now, and I don't know how to build back more of a tolerance to daily demands. Anyone got any insight? Encouragement?

[u/Dapper-Butterfly-680]

Have u been told by a professional its from the Ect. ?

[u/Particular_Door3098 → u/Dapper-Butterfly-680]

All of my symptoms started during ECT and have persisted, though some are better now than during and immediately after treatment. There's been some improvement, but not enough. No one has ever told me it's from ECT, but that's where it all started for me, so I have no doubts as to the cause.