What is electroconvulsive therapy (ect)?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that sends brief electric pulses to the brain. Experts don't know exactly how ECT helps relieve problems in the brain. But it seems to work by changing brain chemicals.

ECT is used to treat severe depression. It's also used for other conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It sometimes helps people after other treatments have failed.

For mental health conditions, ECT is usually given along with medicine, counseling, or both.

ECT is used for severe depression and other psychiatric or neurological conditions (such as bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or schizophrenia).

Sometimes ECT is used for older adults who are taking multiple medicines for other illnesses and who are not able to take additional medicines for depression. And sometimes ECT is used for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of the medicines for depression.

Before ECT, your treatment team gives you medicines to relax your muscles and make you sleep. They place electrodes on your head. When you are asleep, brief electric pulses are sent through the electrodes. This creates a short seizure in the brain. You don't feel or remember it.

ECT usually takes several treatments to work. To start, you will likely have it about 3 times a week. Then, to help maintain the benefit, your doctor may schedule you for weekly or monthly treatments.