ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

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ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

Board of Certified Psychiatrists located in Sacramento, CA

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective medical treatment that triggers a brief seizure, causing the brain to undergo chemical changes that reverse the symptoms of a certain mental health disorder. The procedure involves passing small electric currents through the brain under general anesthesia to treat conditions like severe depression, mania, agitation, and dementia.

ECT is performed in a hospital setting under the supervision of two doctors- a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist. Initially, patients require a few treatments per week but the frequency gradually decreases to a single treatment per week for around 6 to 12 weeks.

Looking for ECT centers near you? Contact Human Touch Behavior Health today. Our team offers the best electric shock therapy in Sacramento, California. Book your appointments now!

Preparing for ECT

Your doctor will give you some muscle relaxants before performing the electroconvulsive therapy. You will also receive general anesthesia to minimize the pain experienced during the procedure.

A team will then conduct a brief physical exam, checking your heart and lungs to ensure you’re fit to receive the treatment.

Once that is done, the medical team will place electrodes on your head to monitor your brain activity and deliver the electric current. Efficient ECT treatment centers like Human Touch Behavioral Health, take all precautions when preparing you for ECT.

Side Effects

Following an electroconvulsive therapy, a patient may experience some side effects such as memory loss, confusion, jaw pain, headache, nausea, and other medical complications like increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Get an appointment at Human Touch Behavioral Health for professional ECT in Sacramento today.

ETC Q & A

What are the health conditions and diagnoses that might benefit from ECT therapy?

ECT therapy can be done to treat major depression, including moderate to severe depression, acute depression, suicidal depression, treatment-resistant depression, and psychotic depression. Other illnesses, such as Bipolar Mania, Bipolar Depression, Schizophrenia, etc., can also be cured with electric shock therapy.

Who can get ECT?

Any adult aged 18 or above having a clinical diagnosis can be treated with ECT with voluntary informed consent. Individuals aged between 13 and 17 years can also receive ECT following a progress review and some legal procedures.

Where is ECT performed?

Electroconvulsive therapy can be performed in any healthcare facility. Patients in Sacramento looking for an effective and reliable ECT can visit the Human Touch Behavioral Health facility.

Is ECT an Inpatient (in hospital) or Outpatient procedure?

ECT is mainly an outpatient procedure. However, those who are severely ill can have their ECT performed in the hospital; Nonetheless, hospitalization isn’t a requirement.

What is needed to be considered for ECT?

A psychiatrist’s referral is required to be considered for ECT. A patient cannot self-refer themselves for the procedure.

What happens after ECT?

After the first ECT, patients will notice a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms. However, they will have to continue receiving the treatment to stay healthy and prevent relapse. Combination drugs and talk therapy techniques are also suitable options for relapse prevention.

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