What is ECT?

ECT is a medical treatment for

illnesses that have mental and
emotional symptoms. The use of
electrical stimulation to the brain
causes a controlled seizure causing
chemicals to be released in the
brain.

Local Professionals
and Information
Upstate Medical University
Hospital Psychiatry
750 E Adams St Ste 1702
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 464-5631

Electroconvulsive
Shock Therapy
(ECT)

SUNY Adult Psychiatry

Outpatient Clinic
713 Harrison St Bldg TU3 FL 3
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 464-3100
Professional Practice Group
713 Harrison St Ste 330
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 396-2077

How does it work?

When all other medication options
are not helping the symptoms of
severe mental illnesses, ECT can
be an option. The chemical
changes in the brain after ECT,
can end a period of depression or
symptoms of other mental
illnesses.
During treatment, the patient is
sedated with general anesthesia,
given muscle relaxants and
oxygen. The patient receives brief
electrical stimulation to the scalp.
Resulting in nerve-cell activity
releasing chemicals that help
restore normal functioning of the
brain.

Ghaly Healing & Wellness

Center
6713 Collamer Rd
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 425-0599
American Psychiatric Association
www.psychiatry.org
MedlinePlus
www.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of
Severe Depression

Mental Health America

www.nmha.org

Treatment that quickly

reverses the symptoms of
certain mental illnesses.

Presented To You By:

Kara Granato, Rebecca Chamberlin,
and Ruth Vasquez

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Q&A
Who gives ECT and where?

A medical team of doctors, nurses

and anesthesiologists, at a
hospital. Treatment can be done
on an in-patient or outpatient
basis.

Is ECT safe & effective?

About the Procedure

Common Side Effects

Pre-procedure: Physical exam, blood tests, an

EKG, and a CT Scan of the brain. Nothing to eat,
drink, or smoke after midnight, with exceptions of
certain medications.

After the procedure is complete it is typical for

the patient to experience confusion that generally
clears within an hour. Temporary memory loss has
also been noted, where the patient does not
remember recent events, names, places, addresses
and phone numbers. Length of time a patient has a
memory disturbance varies from a few days to
months.

Intra-procedure: A blood pressure cuff and

EKG leads will be put in place for continuous
monitoring during treatment. General anesthesia
and a muscle relaxant are administered.
Throughout treatment oxygen will be given. While
sedated, brief electrical currents are applied to the
head that causes seizures that last about a minute.
Post-procedure: Approximately 20 minutes
after treatment, patient will awake. Medical
personnel will closely watch for side effects and
monitors vital signs. Rest is encouraged. Expect
full recovery from sedation with in 1-2 hours.

Other Side Effects:

Nausea

Vomiting

Headache

Muscle spasms

Jaw pain

Lethargy

Postural hypotension

Studies have shown that 1 death

per 50,000 treatments has resulted
from ECT.

Is ECT curative?

Permanent cures of any mental

illness are rare, but 90% of
patients that undergo ECT
treatment have found it effective.
Medications and maintenance
ECT may still be required.

Can ECT cause brain

damage?

Studies have proven against this

possibility. After treatment there
are no indications of elevated
brain enzymes or changes in the
brain structure that would
indicate brain damage. The
amount of electricity used raises
the brain temperature only 1/10
of a degree and cannot cause
electrical damage.