Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
What is ECT?
- Procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure
- ECT causes changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions
What Is ECT Used To Treat?
- Severe depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Severe mania
- Catatonia
- Agitation and aggression in people with dementia
Things To Consider
- ECT should be a family decision. Side effects can include confusion, memory loss, physical side effects, and medical complications
- We typically require a referral from the patient's primary care provider or mental health provider, but we can accept self-referrals
- Patients will have an evaluation with our medical staff to determine if ECT is appropriate
- ECT often works when other treatments are unsuccessful and when the full course of treatment is completed, but it may not work for everyone
Steward Health Care