ECT: Electro-Convulsive Therapy at Sanctuary Clinics
Rapid & Effective Treatment for
Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Rapid & Effective Treatment for Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder


Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment most commonly used to treat severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments.
ECT involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia, typically administered by a team of trained medical professionals that includes a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse or physician assistant.
Extensive research has found ECT to be highly effective for the relief of major depression.
It is also used for other severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
What Are the Benefits of Electroconvulsive
Therapy (ECT)?
What Are the Benefits of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is an evidence-based procedure to treat severe depression and a few other serious mental illnesses.
How can it help you or your loved one?
Rapid Relief
ECT can provide faster relief from symptoms compared to medications, which can take weeks to become effective.
Efficacy
Studies have shown that ECT can be highly effective, with many patients experiencing significant improvement in their symptoms.
Life-Saving Potential
For patients with severe depression who are at risk of suicide, ECT can be a life-saving intervention.
Addressing Common Concerns and
Misconceptions
Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions
ECT is a brain stimulation therapy which sends electrical currents through your brain.
The electrical stimulation changes the chemicals in your brain that affect mood and emotions which can help relieve symptoms of severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.
Still, there are concerns and misconceptions to be addressed.
Safety
ECT is a safe procedure, particularly with modern techniques. It is performed under general anesthesia with careful monitoring by medical professionals.
Memory Loss
Some patients may experience short-term memory loss or confusion after ECT, but these effects are generally temporary. Most people find these side effects manageable compared to the relief from depressive symptoms.
Stigma
There is still some stigma surrounding ECT due to historical depictions in media. However, today’s ECT is a refined and carefully controlled procedure that has helped many people regain their quality of life.
Commonly Asked Q&A
Q. What is the success rate of ECT?
ECT is an effective treatment option, helping as many as 80-90 percent of patients who receive it.
Q. What is the rate of remission with ECT?
Remission, which is the likelihood of having complete resolution of symptoms, is reported to range from 70 to 90 percent with ECT.
Q. Does ECT help anxiety?
If the anxiety is a symptom of a depressive episode, then ECT can be very effective for the anxiety. ECT is not thought to be as effective in treating generalized anxiety or panic disorders.
Q. Who are ideal patients for ECT?
People ages 18 and older with severe depression who have tried multiple treatments, including antidepressant medications, but experienced no or insufficient improvement are considered ideal ECT patients.
Q. Is ECT safe for everyone?
Not everyone is a candidate for ECT treatment. Minors, people with heart conditions, and patients who’ve had difficulties with short-acting sedatives and muscle relaxers are not good candidates. Deciding whether to pursue ECT is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with a psychiatrist or a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history. They can help evaluate whether ECT is a suitable option based on your specific condition and treatment history.
Q. What are the side-effects of ECT therapy?
The most common side effects of ECT on the day of treatment include nausea, headache, fatigue, confusion, and slight memory loss, which may last minutes to hours.
Q. Does ECT work immediately?
Many people begin to notice improvement of their symptoms after five or six treatments of electroconvulsive therapy.