[blobwalker]

The negative side effects of ECT can be dramatic and life-changing. I've known people who lost significant chunks of their memory (and that's with modern ECT), and they said it was worth it for them... but I have zero interest in risking that. If the alternative is killing yourself, it might be worth it, but for TRD without attempted or planned suicide, I have never even considered ECT seriously.

[phren0logy]

That can be a side-effect, especially with bilateral lead placement. With unilateral placement, it's pretty occasional. I wonder if knowing two people with the same problem indicates a local psychiatrist using bilateral approaches more than usual?