Cathy was first diagnosed with mental health problems as a teenager. She first had ECT after an episode of severe depression. Although she found her depression did lift and she was able to function, she experienced memory loss in the short term and longer term. Cathy now has a job and feels that her recovery is two to three steps forward, one step back.

Catherine experienced problems as a teenager and, after a suicide attempt, was eventually admitted to a young people's unit. When she was 26, and after a change in medication, she was admitted to hospital where she was offered ECT. Catherine and her husband decided to try different anti-depressants instead of opting for ECT.

Sunil first became seriously depressed when he was a medical student and was eventually given ECT. He responded rapidly to treatment. Later he was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and has had relapses of his condition. Sunil has found that out of all the treatments offered, only ECT really gets him better.

Matt's wife experienced severe postnatal depression and was admitted to hospital a couple of times. After she didn't respond to medication, she was given ECT. He thinks that ECT was eventually effective in treating his wife's depression.

Tania first became unwell at university and years later was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. She has had various ECT treatments over the years with varied results, but now considers ECT - if performed correctly - to be a life saving.

Sue suffered sexual abuse as a child and has had a history of mental health problems. Five years ago she was given ECT, aged 45. Sue and Ian felt they weren't given enough information about the treatment and that more research should be done about the emotional impact of ECT.

Jane felt unwell in 2009 when her children were 2 & 4, and was admitted to hospital but discharged shortly after. In 2010, age 36, she was readmitted and had 7 and later another 12 sessions of ECT. Now she is recovering, has had a 3rd child and is finding support from yoga and church, and has more confidence in herself as a mother.

Suzanne was given ECT age 27, during a hospital admission when she was very depressed and experiencing psychosis. She was catatonic, had stopped eating and drinking and was losing weight rapidly. John felt anxious about the treatment options available and was told medication would not work quickly enough. After three sessions of ECT he noticed some improvement. Now Suzanne has a few blips but asks for help more readily and finds a range of techniques that help her well-being.

Beattie had two ECT in 1970 and 1975. She thinks that ECT should be banned and cannot remember a seven-year period after having it. She now takes no medication and lives with her family. Beattie does mental health work and is involved in group advocacy for mental health service users, and will be teaching knitting and crochet in a drop in setting. She is involved with a user group, sits on a committee and interviews panel members.

When Steve first met his wife, over 30 years ago, she had already had ECT for depression. During various periods of depression, she had ECT when nothing else worked. Only recently has Steve described himself as a carer' and says that there are long periods in between episodes of depression where his wife is well.