what is a typical course of ect

How many ECT treatments are there in a course?

The treatment course should stop as soon as they have reached maximal improvement. While the typical electroconvulsive therapy course in patients with a mood disorder is between 6-12 treatments. In the absence of significant clinical improvement after 6-8 treatments, we should stop the treatment. We may consider Modification of the technique,

What is ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)?

May 11, 2010 · There is ample evidence that demonstrates the typical time course to respond to ECT. 1-4 Most commonly, the . Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is used to track symptom severity. We know that depressed patients often begin to respond after the first treatment and progress to wellness with 6 to 12 treatments.

How long does an ECT session last?

How many ECT sessions do you need for depression?

How long is a course of ECT?

How Long Does the ECT Procedure Take? An ECT session takes about one hour total. There is time for patient assessments before treatment, receiving treatment (20 minutes), resting in the recovery area (20 minutes), and getting transferred back to a unit (inpatient) or to the driver's vehicle (outpatient).

How many ECT treatments are typical?

People undergoing ECT need multiple treatments. The number needed to successfully treat severe depression can range from 4 to 20, but most people need a total of 6 to 12 treatments. The treatments are usually given three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.Apr 7, 2021

What is an ECT session?

Overview. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.Oct 12, 2018

What are the two main types of ECT treatment?

Generally speaking, there are two types of ECT:Bilateral ECT, in which the electrodes are placed on both sides of the head. This is designed to affect the entire brain.Unilateral ECT, in which one electrode placed on top of the head and the other on one temple, usually the right.Sep 17, 2021

What is the success rate of ECT therapy?

What is the Success Rate of Electroconvulsive Therapy? ECT is an effective medical treatment option, helping as many as 80-85 percent of patients who receive it. Most patients remain well for many months afterwards.

Does ECT worsen anxiety?

ECT may have a role in people who have comorbid depression and anxiety. The concern of some psychiatrists is that while ECT may help with depressive symptoms, it could worsen anxiety symptoms, including obsessional thoughts or panic attacks.Mar 22, 2020

Do they shave your head for ECT?

During surgery prep, you'll have your head shaved. You may be kept unconscious throughout brain surgery with general anesthesia or stay awake with a local anesthetic used on your scalp. A sturdy frame will hold your head to prevent movement during surgery.Feb 21, 2021

How do you prepare a patient for ECT?

Because electroconvulsive therapy is performed under general anesthesia, you should not eat, drink, or smoke after midnight on the days of your treatments. Do not drink alcohol or use any illegal drugs over the course of the treatment. On the day of your procedure, do not wear jewelry or contact lenses.

How long does it take for ECT to start working?

Medications typically take up to eight weeks to show improvement. “With ECT, I can get them feeling better in two weeks or less,” said Weeks. It can also be very effective in patients for whom multiple medications have failed.Feb 13, 2017

Who is not a good candidate for ECT?

Not everyone is a candidate for treatment even if they believe ECT could help them. For example, children under age eleven cannot undergo ECT for mental health disorders. People with heart conditions and people who cannot handle short-acting sedatives or muscle relaxers should not undergo ECT treatments.

What to expect after ECT therapy?

After the Procedure When you awaken, you may experience a period of disorientation lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Headaches, jaw pain, and muscle soreness may occur. ECT requires a series of treatments, often initiated two to three times a week for a few weeks and then the frequency is tapered down.May 12, 2020

Who is a good candidate for ECT?

People who have had ECT before and responded well are good candidates for ECT. Other first-line indications for the procedure include people who are catatonic or suffering from a form of depression known as psychotic depression (depression associated with delusions and hallucinations).

What is ECT in Catatonia?

NICE Recommendations. NICE recommends using electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) only to attain quick and short-term improvement of severe symptoms if an adequate trial of other options has not been effective and/or when the condition is potentially life-threatening, in individuals with: Catatonia.

What are the considerations for electroconvulsive therapy?

Other considerations for the first-line use of electroconvulsive therapy involve the patient’s medical status, treatment history, and treatment preference. For example, in patients with postpartum psychosis, where quick recovery is essential for both the baby and the mother.

What is a prolonged manic episode?

For an individual, consider a documented assessment of the risks and potential benefits to the individual before recommending electroconvulsive therapy. Exercise caution when considering electroconvulsive therapy during pregnancy, in older people, and in children and young people.

How long does electroconvulsive therapy last?

Continuation electroconvulsive therapy: A course that begins after the index course, lasts up to 6 months and prevents relapse of the episode (return of the symptoms to full syndromal criteria before the end of the natural duration of the illness).

Why do people use electroconvulsive therapy?

The most common use of electroconvulsive therapy is with patients who do not improve with other treatments. Intolerance of side effects, deterioration in the psychiatric condition, or the appearance of suicidality are other reasons to consider the use of electroconvulsive therapy.

What are the therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive therapy?

Therapeutic effects are greatest in severe depressive disorders, especially those in which there is marked weight loss, early-morning waking, retardation, and delusions. Delusions and (to a lesser extent) retardation distinguish patients who respond to electroconvulsive therapy. The following table summarizes the findings from ...

How many volts does an electroshock have?

Typically, 70 to 120 volts are applied externally to the patient's head resulting in eight hundred milliamperes of direct current passed through the brain, ...

What does the speed of response tell us about the mechanisms of action of ECT?

What does the speed of response tell us about the mechanisms of action of ECT? Clearly, in certain patients, the neurobiological changes induced by ECT include almost immediate alterations in brain systems that regulate mood and affect. Perhaps a “switch” mechanism (similar to that seen in bipolar patients) occurs; however, there is no evidence to suggest that very rapid improvement with ECT is associated with bipolar rather than unipolar depression. There is evidence to demonstrate that, overall, bipolar patients require fewer ECT sessions than unipolar patients. 11 Investigation of the rapid antidepressant action of the intravenous anesthetic ketamine may lead to elucidation of related mechanisms of recovery from severe affective illness. 12

How long does it take for depression to go away?

There is considerable variability in the trajectories, but most commonly there is progressive symptomatic improvement within the first week and complete remission within 3 to 4 weeks.

Is electroconvulsive therapy effective?

The overall effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is well known, but its speed of action is much less talked about. Here I review what is known about the time course of action of ECT in depression. Most patients who are referred for ECT have been ill with severe mood disorders for many months, some even for years.

Is antidepressant medication ineffective?

When a patient is urgently ill (eg, suicidal, catatonic, malnourished), this feature of the treatment may be lifesaving. Antidepressant medication may be ineffective and/or have a considerably longer lag time before symptom improvement than ECT.

Do patients look good after ECT?

Unfortunately, patients who have considerable symptom improvement after the first ECT session and who would be expected to do very well, never look as good as they did after that first treatment. The reasons underlying such a trajectory of symptom persistence are not yet understood.

Do bipolar patients need ECT?

There is evidence to demonstrate that, overall, bipolar patients require fewer ECT sessions than unipolar patients. 11 Investigation of the rapid antidepressant action of the intravenous anesthetic ketamine may lead to elucidation of related mechanisms of recovery from severe affective illness. 12.

How does ECT work?

Why does ECT work? No one is sure how ECT helps certain psychiatric disorders. It may promote changes in how brain cells communicate with each other at synapses and it may stimulate the development of new brain cells. ECT may flood the brain with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to be involved in conditions like ...

How long does an ECT procedure last?

How long is an ECT procedure? A single ECT session usually lasts one hour. This includes the time the patient will be in the treatment room (approximately 15-20 minutes) and the time spent in the recovery room (approximately 20-30 minutes). Typically, ECT (whether inpatient or outpatient) is given two to three times a week for a total ...

How long does it take to drive after ECT?

Usually this takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Patients who are given ECT on an outpatient basis must have someone drive them home after the procedure and stay with them until they go to sleep at night. People should not drive in the 24 hours following ECT.

What are the two electrodes used for?

Two of these electrodes are for monitoring the brain waves. The other two are for delivering a short, controlled set of electrical pulses for a few seconds. The electrical pulses must produce a generalized seizure to be effective.

How long does it take to sleep before ECT?

During the procedure, the patient receives a short acting anesthetic agent which puts the patient to sleep for approximately 5-10 minutes.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

The immediate side effects of the procedure which may last for about an hour include: 1 Headaches 2 Nausea 3 Muscle aches and soreness 4 Disorientation and confusion

How can families help with ECT?

Families can help by providing a gentle reminder of the day and date and that feeling confused is to be expected. Family members should inform the nurse of any concern they have about their loved one. View a Powerpoint Presentation for Families about ECT.

Why It's Done

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: 1. Severe depression,particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to e…

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