ECT SERVICES

How Many Sessions

ECT treatment are typically given 3 times a week. A typical series consists of 6 -12 treatments but can be less or more, depending on the patient’s specific illness and response to treatment.

Continuation ECT

Refers to ECT treatments that are given for up to 6 months after the initial ECT series. The goal of continuation ECT is to prevent relapse (i.e. becoming depressed again), which can happen, even after a successful ECT series.

Long term use of ECT beyond 6 month may be recommended. Usually for some patients with multiple and/or severe depressive episodes.

Procedure

• The patient must not eat or drink at least 8 hours before the procedure. Some required medications may be taken with sip of water.
• Patients are advised to wear comfortable clothes. Once they check in, patients are asked to empty their bladder and remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and removable dentures.
• Upon arrival, the patient’s vital signs are obtained an IV is started and a physical exam is performed.
• Electrodes are placed on the patient’s body.
• The patient is put to sleep using general anesthesia. Once the patient is asleep, he/she is given a muscle relaxant in order to relax the body’s muscles and reduce movement. Other medications may be given to reduce oral secretions or to help control heart rate/ blood pressure.
• Once the patient is completely asleep, a small electrical current is delivered to the scalp to induce a short (usually 20-60 second) controlled seizure. If the seizure last longer than expected, the psychiatrist will stop the seizure using medications.
• The treatment from the time the patient is asleep to the time the patients wake up is usually only about 10-15 minutes.
• After the treatment is completed, the patient is monitored by a nurse until they are stable to discharge.

Benefits of ECT

• 60-90% show significant improvement. Improvement in health–related quality of life.
• Used in very ill patients, considered as a first-choice treatment whenever a rapid definitive improvement is clinically urgent.
• Used in depressed patients who are; a high suicide risk, having irrational/psychotic thoughts refusing to eat or drink, or catatonic.

Risks &Side Effects

Given the short period of time that the patient is under anesthesia for ECT, serious/life-threatening risk are very rare common side effect include;

• Headache
• Muscle soreness
• Nausea
• Temporary memory loss.