Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a safe, highly effective, and evidence-based psychiatric treatment that uses a brief, controlled electrical stimulus under general anaesthesia to produce a therapeutic brain seizure - providing rapid and often life-saving relief from severe treatment-resistant depression, mania, and catatonia.
Overview
Key Benefits
Discover the advantages of choosing our electroconvulsive therapy (ect) services.
70 to 90% response rate in severe depression -- superior to any antidepressant medication
Rapid response within 2 to 4 sessions for life-threatening presentations
Safe well-tolerated and bearing no resemblance to historical portrayals
Effective for catatonia mania and psychosis not responding to medications
Continuation ECT prevents relapse in patients whose depression returns with medications alone
Clinical Features
The technology, techniques and clinical approach behind our electroconvulsive therapy (ect).
EEG seizure monitoring confirms adequate seizure quality -- the primary determinant of efficacy
Stimulus energy individually titrated to each patient's seizure threshold at the first treatment
Pre-ECT cardiac assessment ensures anaesthetic and physiological safety throughout
Modern ultrabrief-pulse waveforms minimise cognitive side effects
Recovery room monitoring continues until full orientation is confirmed
Preparation Instructions
Do not drive for 24 hours after each ECT session and arrange transport home. Memory changes - particularly for recent events around the time of treatment - are the most common side effect and are usually temporary. Headache and muscle aches after sessions are managed with paracetamol. Attend all scheduled sessions in the course for the best therapeutic outcome. If you have concerns about side effects or response, discuss these at every session with the treating psychiatrist.
The Procedure
Step-by-step guide to what you can expect during your electroconvulsive therapy (ect) procedure.
Pre-ECT Assessment
Your psychiatrist and anaesthesiologist complete a thorough assessment reviewing mental state physical health cardiac status medications and previous ECT history -- designing the anaesthetic and stimulus parameters for maximum safety and efficacy.
Arrival Monitoring and Anaesthesia
You arrive fasted. IV cannula ECG pulse oximetry blood pressure and EEG electrodes are placed. The brief general anaesthetic and muscle relaxant are administered smoothly before any stimulus is delivered.
Electrode Placement and Stimulus
With you deeply anaesthetised electrodes are placed at predetermined scalp positions. A precisely calibrated electrical stimulus produces a controlled generalised cerebral seizure of 30 to 60 seconds duration.
Seizure Monitoring
EEG monitoring confirms seizure onset duration and quality in real time. A seizure of adequate duration and quality is the primary determinant of ECT efficacy. Re-stimulation at higher energy is given if the threshold is not reached.
Recovery from Anaesthesia
You wake naturally within 5 to 15 minutes in the recovery area. Mild confusion and disorientation immediately after waking is normal and clears within 30 to 60 minutes as you return to your usual level of consciousness.
Response Assessment and Course Planning
Mental state is assessed before every session tracking improvement. Typically 6 to 12 sessions over 3 to 4 weeks are needed. Maintenance ECT is planned once significant improvement is achieved to consolidate the response.
What to Expect
Each ECT session takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes from arrival to recovery. You receive a brief general anaesthetic and muscle relaxant - you are completely asleep and feel nothing during the procedure. You wake in the recovery room within 5 to 15 minutes, often feeling confused and disoriented for a short time before this clears. The therapeutic benefit typically builds progressively across the course of treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about electroconvulsive therapy (ect).
Related Services
Explore other services in our Psychiatry department.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Psychiatric Medication Management
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
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