How many ECT treatments are typical?
A patient typically receives ECT two or three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments, depending on the severity of symptoms and how quickly the symptoms respond to the treatment.
How far apart are ECT treatments?
The ECT taper from an acute series to a maintenance schedule is generally once a week for 4 treatments, then every 2 weeks for 4 treatments, then every 3 weeks for 4 treatments, then every 4 weeks. There is no limit on how long a patient can receive maintenance ECT provided the treatment is effective.
How many months does ECT take?
Maintenance ECT involves getting treatments every two weeks to every month, usually for a period of six months to a year. But patients have gone on maintenance ECT for up to three years, depending on their response.
How many ECT treatments are needed for psychosis?
More recent studies on ECT and schizophrenia use up to 20 sessions, and it is possible that a larger number of sessions would result in more significant group differences [22].
How long does electric shock therapy last?
How long is an ECT procedure? A single ECT session usually lasts one hour. This includes the time the patient will be in the treatment room (approximately 15-20 minutes) and the time spent in the recovery room (approximately 20-30 minutes).
Can ECT work after one treatment?
Symptom improvement after 1 treatment was similar for all 3 electrode placements. There is a small but fascinating literature reporting remission of depression with a single ECT session.
Can you relapse after ECT?
After a successful acute course of ECT, maintaining remission from depressive symptoms is a major challenge for clinicians and patients, because the relapse rate has been reported to be as high as 84% within the first 6 months after ECT.
What happens if ECT doesn't work for depression?
If nothing else has helped, including ECT, and you are still severely depressed, you may be offered neurosurgery for mental disorder (NMD), deep brain stimulation (DBS) or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
How do you prevent relapse after ECT?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists' current ECT handbook states that “relapse rates are high after remission is achieved in depression, and antidepressants reduce the risk of relapse by about 70%” and that “the combination of lithium/antidepressant may reduce the risk of relapse after ECT.”
What is the duration How often & how long for ECT treatment?
In the United States, ECT treatments are generally given two to three times weekly for three to four weeks — for a total of six to 12 treatments. Some doctors use a newer technique called right unilateral ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy that's done daily on weekdays.
Can ECT damage your brain?
The review of literature and present evidence suggests that ECT has a demonstrable impact on the structure and function of the brain. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to suggest that ECT causes brain damage.
Can you feel worse after ECT?
ECT can't prevent future depression, or fix any ongoing stresses or problems that are contributing to how you're feeling. Some people have very bad experiences of ECT, for example because they feel worse after treatment or are given it without consent. You might not want to risk the possibility of getting side effects.