Electroconvulsive Therapy

Modern electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) offers hope to patients that haven't responded to other treatments

This treatment may be used to treat severe, life-threatening depression that has not responded to medicines. A mild electrical current is passed through the brain triggering a brief seizure. The seizures help restore the normal balance of chemicals in the brain and ease symptoms. ECT is typically administered two to three times a week as part of a regimen of six to 12 sessions.

For a majority of patients ECT offers relief from an array of debilitating symptoms -- including delusions, aggressiveness, uncooperativeness, emotional oversensitivity, physical hyperactivity and paranoia. Depression and anxiety were alleviated in just over one-quarter of patients.

To begin the admission process, call the HelpLine at (469) 204-6920, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For assistance any other time, call (469) 204-6900 or proceed to the Emergency Department at Methodist Richardson Medical Center

SOURCES: Giulio Emilio Brancati, MD, resident, department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Italy; Laura Fochtmann, MD, MBI, professor, psychiatry, and director, ECT Service, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y., and medical editor, clinical practice guidelines, American Psychiatric Association; European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, virtual meeting, Sept. 12-15, 2020