Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda offers electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a medical treatment option most commonly used to treat patients who suffer from major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, when other treatments, including medications and psychotherapy, haven’t worked. ECT is also sometimes used in treating individuals with catatonia.
Q: What is electroconvulsive therapy?
A: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most well-studied and effective treatment options we have available today for medication resistant psychiatric disorders. ECT has been effectively used for more than 80 years. Unfortunately there is a common misconception that ECT is a painful form of “shock therapy.” Most individuals are not aware of the safety and efficacy of ECT. It is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is completely relaxed. It’s nothing like what you see in the Hollywood movies. The American Psychiatric Society (APA) has established clear guidelines for the use of ECT. It is considered safe and effective for pregnant women, adolescents and the geriatric population. More than 100,000 patients each year receive ECT in the United States.
Q: What does ECT treat?
A: It treats many psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, suicidality, schizophrenia and catatonia. A treatment course is 8-12 treatments, however it will vary depending on the diagnosis and response to treatment. ECT treatments are typically administered twice per week. Today's evidence shows that ECT is a very effective and underused treatment for major depressive disorder and other persistent psychiatric illnesses. The National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Surgeon General and similar organizations in Canada, Great Britain and many other countries all endorse ECT as a valuable tool in the effective treatment of depression and other severe mental illnesses.
ECT Basics:
According to the American Psychiatric Association, clinical evidence indicates that for individuals with severe major depression, ECT will produce a substantial improvement in symptoms in nearly 80% of patients.
During ECT treatment, the patient remains under anesthesia while the brain is given brief electrical stimulation. This causes a seizure in the brain that will last usually less than one minute.
Prior to each treatment, the patient receives general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are then attached to the scalp at precise locations to offer brain stimulation in a series of brief, controlled, electrical pulses. The patient remains asleep during the procedure.
If you or someone you know suffers from major depression or another disorder and other treatments have not worked, ECT may be a viable treatment option for you. Call (941) 833-1750 to learn more and schedule an appointment.