When to stop ect treatment?

How many ECT treatments is too many?

Typically, ECT (whether inpatient or outpatient) is given two to three times a week for a total of six to twelve sessions. Some patients may need more or fewer treatments. These sessions improve depression in 70 to 90 percent of patients, a response rate much higher than that of antidepressant drugs.

When should ECT not be used?

a past history of moderate or severe depression or. initial presentation of subthreshold depressive symptoms that have been present for a long period (typically at least 2 years) or. subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression that persist(s) after other interventions.

How long do the effects of ECT last?

We know that depressed patients often begin to respond after the first treatment and progress to wellness with 6 to 12 treatments. 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.

What medications should be stopped before ECT?

Medication Information:

Benzodiazepines, Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin, Trileptal – Do not take the night time dose or morning dose before your treatment. Lithium – Do not take for 24 hours before each treatment. Glucophage/Metformin – Do not take for 12 hours before each treatment.

Can ECT make you worse?

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.

What are the negative side effects of ECT?

What are the risks and side-effects of ECT?

• loss of memory about the events immediately before and after ECT.
• heart rhythm disturbances.
• low blood pressure.
• headaches.
• nausea.
• sore muscles, aching jaw.
• confusion.

What happens if ECT doesn’t work?

If electroconvulsive therapy doesn’t work, the next step could be deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a depression treatment that is currently considered experimental.

Who is ECT Not recommended for?

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.

Can ECT change your personality?

ECT does not change a person’s personality, nor is it designed to treat those with just primary “personality disorders.” ECT can cause transient short-term memory — or new learning — impairment during a course of ECT, which fully reverses usually within one to four weeks after an acute course is stopped.

Does ECT wear off?

When the anesthesia wears off, the patient wakes up. This whole procedure, which often takes as little as 15 minutes, will be repeated around eight to twelve times in a series over three weeks. Though ECT may seem to miraculously erase mental illness, Weeks says it is not a cure.

Does ECT damage the brain?

These conditions are not approached during ECT. Other findings indicate that the passage of electricity, thermal effects, and the transient disruption of the blood-brain barrier during ECS do not result in structural brain damage. Conclusions: There is no credible evidence that ECT causes structural brain damage.

What are the long term side effects of ECT?

Side effects of ECT can include slight memory loss, adverse reactions to anesthesia, hyper- and hypotension, and ongoing heart issues throughout life. Though these side effects are rare and can often be prevented through proper pre-diagnosis, they do add to the controversy of ECT therapy.

Can ECT help with anxiety?

Electroconvulsive therapy is effective in the acute treatment of major depressive disorder patients associated with anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms improved less than depression symptoms during acute electroconvulsive therapy.

Is ECT therapy safe?

Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe, controlled procedure for depression and other psychological disorders that have not responded to other treatments. A small amount of electric current is passed through the brain in order to cause a brief seizure.

Should you stop lithium before ECT?

Lithium is traditionally discontinued before ECT because it contributes to the cognitive side effects.