Butler Hospital operates a suite dedicated to ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy). ECT is established as one of the most effective treatments for lifting depression in patients who have not responded to other treatments.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, ECT is considered the most effective treatment for major depression for people who have not found relief of their symptoms from medications or other forms of therapy.
A medical procedure, ECT uses brief, low-energy electrical pulses to stimulate nerve-cell activity in the area of the brain that affects mood. Stimulating this area helps to alleviate symptoms of depression. The electrical impulses are delivered through electrodes placed on the scalp. Patients are given anesthesia to relax and ensure the procedure is pain-free.
Treatments are provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. For outpatient treatment, a family member, friend or health care worker must be available to help with transportation following the treatments. ECT is provided for both acute illnesses and on a maintenance schedule to prevent relapse. Suitability for ECT is evaluation by way of a consultation in conjunction with internal medicine and anesthesiology assessments.