Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a noninvasive neurostimulation therapy that uses electric current to relieve severe and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and severe bipolar depression, especially when symptoms don’t improve after medication and therapy—or when a rapid response is necessary for those at risk for suicide, psychotic, or catatonic (in an unresponsive state). ECT appears to create changes in brain chemistry that can quickly improve symptoms, improving depression in 70%-90% of individuals. Though safe and effective, it’s underused due to stigma and misinformation, lack of availability, and concerns over side effects. Although ECT is effective in TRD, data regarding its efficacy in anxiety disorders are limited. The mechanism and focal targets of ECT are undetermined. Details about ECT treatment:

• Occurs in a series, usually a couple of times a week.
• Involves using small electric currents to trigger a brief, controlled seizure in the brain
• People are under anesthesia during the procedure and wake up about 5-10 minutes after—they can resume normal activity in about an hour.
• Some receive occasional “maintenance ECT” treatments
• Side effects are usually mild and may include headaches, muscle soreness, or nausea; and short-term or, more rarely, longer-term memory loss