ECT, or Electroconvulsive Therapy, is a treatment that causes the brain to have a generalized, or "grand mal" seizure under medically controlled conditions. At Dominion Hospital, the treatment is performed under the guidance of a psychiatrist, and an anesthesiologist and a nurse. Each treatment is done while the patient is asleep (with general anesthesia), and only lasts a few minutes. Treatments may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the need of the patient. It is a treatment option for patients who are diagnosed with a range of serious mental illnesses, especially patients with severe depression.

Our state-of-the-art ECT technology allows treatment with ultra-brief stimulation. Due to the new technology's more gentle effects on memory, we may be able to provide a more sustainable, long-term maintenance treatment.

Before undergoing ECT, all patients undergo a psychiatric evaluation, and a medical evaluation, including a physical, blood testing, and electrocardiogram (EKG).

What to Expect

The number of treatments recommended is based on the individual patient's needs and responsiveness to the procedure. Patients come two to three times per week and usually receive between four and twelve treatments per episode of care. Patients are put to sleep with a short-acting anesthetic. A muscle relaxant is then administered, followed by a low-voltage electrical shock to the brain of the patient to cause a seizure. Research indicates that this improves the chemical pathways in the brain, permitting an adjustment of nature's neuro-transmitters that affect mood and behavior. The patient is usually fully awake 10 to 20 minutes after treatment begins.

Potential Side Effects

ECT is considered one of the safest treatment options for medically fragile patients, including the elderly, pregnant women, and patients who have limited tolerance to some psychiatric medications. As with all forms of medical treatment, some patients may experience adverse side effects. There is a potential for memory problems, headache, or confusion in some patients, and in rare cases, death. Other side effects may include muscle soreness, nausea, temporary irregularities in heart rate and, in a few instances, damage to fragile teeth. Some patients prefer to sleep for a few hours following treatment.