How much does ECT treatment cost?
Electroconvulsive Therapy Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT or electroshock therapy, may be a viable treatment program for consenting adult patients with severe depression who …
What are the benefits of ECT treatment?
Dec 20, 2021 · Patients typically undergo ECT treatment when other treatment methods fail. History of ECT. When ECT was first created in the 1940s, it was created as a backup plan, in …
How many ECT treatments are needed?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which a brief application of electric stimulus is used to produce a generalized seizure. It is not known how or why ECT works or what the …
Is ECT an Ethical Treatment?
ECT is most commonly used to help patients with clinical depression or those who don’t respond to medication or talk therapy. Also, because ECT works quickly, it can be used when patients …
Who is a good candidate for ECT?
What types of patients receive ECT?
Who should not get ECT?
When should you consider ECT?
Does ECT change your personality?
Does ECT increase serotonin?
Does ECT damage the brain?
Is ECT worth the risk?
Does ECT worsen anxiety?
Do they shave your head for ECT?
Can ECT make you worse?
Is ECT better than antidepressants?
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT or electroshock therapy, may be a viable treatment program for consenting adult patients with severe depression who are not responding to anti-depressant medications. It is also sometimes used for patients diagnosed with psychosis, catatonia, or bipolar disorder.
Breaking through Misconceptions About ECT
In the past, electroshock therapy had more severe side effects that caused many patients to reject it as a treatment option. In recent years, there have been many improvements in ECT. Temporary side effects of today’s ECT may include:
Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatment
Einstein’s electroconvulsive therapy program for patients in the Philadelphia area require several sessions (typically three per week) to realize the full therapeutic benefit of treatment. Usually, a course of six to 12 treatments is required over two to four weeks.
What is ECT?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a depression treatment that involves the stimulation of the brain with a controlled electrical current.
What Does ECT Treat?
ECT treats severe resistant depression and although it is exactly unclear to scientists and researchers how ECT is so effective, it has proven to be quite effective.
How Effective is ECT for Depression?
Over the past 2 or 3 decades, research has shown that about 47% to 75% of patients who have undergone the procedure have fully recovered from their depressive symptoms.
Side Effects of ECT
Electroconvulsive Therapy is a generally safe treatment for depression but like every other treatment, there are a few side effects.
ECT vs Other Treatment Options That Work
Depression is one of the easiest mental illnesses to tackle today because there are many treatment options.
How We Can Help You
TMS is the future of depression therapy and we are excited to be a part of this movement.
When is ECT treatment given?
ECT treatment is generally administered in the morning, before breakfast. Prior to the actual treatment, the patient is given general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are then attached to the patients scalp and an electric current is applied which causes a brief convulsion.
How many people are treated with ECT?
Today, ECT is administered to an estimated 100,000 people a year, primarily in general hospital psychiatric units and in psychiatric hospitals. It is generally used in treating patients with severe depression, acute mania, and certain schizophrenic syndromes.
What is ECT therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which a brief application of electric stimulus is used to produce a generalized seizure. It is not known how or why ECT works or what the electrically stimulated seizure does to the brain. In the U.S. during the 1940’s and 50’s, the treatment was administered mostly to people with severe mental ...
When is ECT administered?
ECT treatment is generally administered in the morning, before breakfast. Prior to the actual treatment, the patient is given general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are then attached to the patients scalp and an electric current is applied which causes a brief convulsion. Minutes later, the patient awakens confused ...
Is ECT a long term treatment?
After 60 years of use, ECT is still the most controversial psychiatr ic treatment. Much of the controversy surrounding ECT revolves around its effectiveness vs. the side effects, the objectivity of ECT experts, and the recent increase in ECT as a quick and easy solution, instead of long-term psychotherapy or hospitalization.
Is ECT effective after a relapse?
It is also unclear whether or not ECT is effective. In some cases, the numbers are extremely favorable, citing 80 percent improvement in severely depressed patients, after ECT. However, other studies indicate that the relapse is high, even for patients who take medication after ECT.
What is ECT therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can help patients suffering severe depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health illnesses when medications and other therapies are not working. ECT treatment can provide rapid improvement for patients whose mental illness and related symptoms are severe and difficult to manage.
What are the risks of ECT?
ECT can also be an option for more vulnerable patients, including: 1 Pregnant women 2 Older adults 3 Those unable to tolerate medication side effects 4 Those at-risk of drug interactions
How to get ECT?
The first step in getting ECT is to get a referral from your psychiatrist. The referral cannot come from a primary care physician, psychologist or nurse. ECT is usually considered if your psychiatrist has tried several antidepressant medication trials and you still have significant depression symptoms.
What is ECT therapy?
Slice. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock therapy, is a safe and effective medical procedure that gives your brain electrical stimulation to help with depression, manic-depressive illness and schizophrenia.
How effective is ECT?
ECT is between 60 and 90 percent effective in major depression, and adults of nearly all ages can receive treatment. The first step in getting ECT is to get a referral from your psychiatrist. The referral cannot come from a primary care physician, psychologist or nurse. ECT is usually considered if your psychiatrist has tried several antidepressant ...
How long does it take to wake up after ECT?
You will not feel any discomfort when the electrical stimulation is given. You will wake up in the recovery area 5 to 10 minutes after the procedure. ECT is given in a series of treatments, usually three times per week.
Can a psychiatrist refer you to an ECT?
The referral cannot come from a primary care physician, psychologist or nurse. ECT is usually considered if your psychiatrist has tried several antidepressant medication trials and you still have significant depression symptoms.
Do you have to change into a gown for ECT?
Your ECT treatment will most likely be an outpatient procedure in a comfortable, non-surgical setting. You won’t even need to change into a gown. Since your ECT will be in the morning on an empty stomach, you will be given a light breakfast after your session.
How often is ECT given?
ECT is given in a series of treatments, usually three times per week. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see results right away, because it can take between six and 12 treatments before there are benefits. Your treatment will be complete when there is a sustained response.
Does ECT help with psychiatric disorders?
No one is sure how ECT helps certain psychiatric disorders. It may promote changes in how brain cells communicate with each other at synapses and it may stimulate the development of new brain cells.
How does ECT work?
Why does ECT work? No one is sure how ECT helps certain psychiatric disorders. It may promote changes in how brain cells communicate with each other at synapses and it may stimulate the development of new brain cells. ECT may flood the brain with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to be involved in conditions like ...
Does ECT help with depression?
No one is sure how ECT helps certain psychiatric disorders. It may promote changes in how brain cells communicate with each other at synapses and it may stimulate the development of new brain cells. ECT may flood the brain with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to be involved in conditions like depression ...
Does ECT affect the brain?
ECT may flood the brain with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to be involved in conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
Can you take ECT if you have schizophrenia?
ECT may also be prescribed when antidepressant medications have not worked . It can be useful for older patients who are unable to tolerate antidepressants and for pregnant women in whom medication might damage the fetus. People suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may also benefit from ECT.
How long does it take to sleep before ECT?
During the procedure, the patient receives a short acting anesthetic agent which puts the patient to sleep for approximately 5-10 minutes.
How many electrodes are placed on a patient's head?
Four electrodes are placed on specific areas of the patient’s head. Two of these electrodes are for monitoring the brain waves. The other two are for delivering a short, controlled set of electrical pulses for a few seconds. The electrical pulses must produce a generalized seizure to be effective.
Treats these conditions
We offer ECT for both inpatients and outpatients who have the following conditions:
Specialties and institutes
Connect with other specialties at Geisinger to learn more about these treatments.
