ECT,
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective and reliable treatment modalities used in modern psychiatry. At Thriving Minds, we offer ECT as a specialized service for individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions, especially when other treatments have failed or are not suitable. With its strong track record of hastening recovery and its safety profile, ECT plays a vital role in managing acute psychiatric conditions and offers hope to those who haven’t responded well to medications or psychotherapy alone.
What Is ECT? Electroconvulsive Therapy involves a carefully controlled electric current passed through the brain while the patient is sedated under general anesthesia. This current induces a brief, controlled seizure that positively affects the brain’s chemistry. ECT is known to rapidly improve symptoms in conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-partum depression and catatonia. The procedure has been fine-tuned over decades, making it one of the safest and most efficient treatments available today.
How Does it Work ?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for severe mental health conditions. It works by creating controlled seizures in the brain, which help reset brain chemistry and improve mood and mental clarity. Here’s a breakdown of how it helps:
- Boosts Brain Chemicals: ECT increases important brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which are crucial for regulating mood. This boost helps reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
- Improves Brain Flexibility: ECT encourages the brain to rewire itself by forming new connections. This is especially helpful in conditions where certain brain areas aren’t working as they should, like in depression and schizophrenia.
- Reduces Stress Hormones: By normalizing the brain’s stress system, ECT helps bring down levels of cortisol, a hormone that’s often too high in people with chronic stress or depression.
- Increases Blood Flow: ECT boosts blood flow and energy use in important areas of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex (which controls decision-making) and the limbic system (which controls emotions). This helps stabilize mood and improve mental clarity.
- Changes Gene Activity: ECT may also influence genes that are involved in brain health and function, leading to lasting improvements in mood and cognition.
ECT is a powerful and fast-acting treatment for those who haven’t found relief from medications or therapy.
Conditions Most Effectively Treated by ECT
While ECT is most commonly associated with treating severe depression, its applications extend to a wide range of psychiatric and neurological conditions. Below is a list of conditions where ECT has shown proven efficacy:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Catatonia
- Acute Suicidal Ideation
- Postpartum Depression/Psychosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Epilepsy-Related Depression
- Neurological Disorders with Psychiatric Symptoms like Huntington’s disease, dementia with severe behavioral disturbances, and multiple sclerosis with mood-related symptoms.
- Personality Disorders: individuals with borderline personality disorder who suffer from severe mood instability or suicidal tendencies that have not responded to other treatments.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Why Choose ECT at Thriving Minds?
At Thriving Minds, we understand that each patient’s recovery journey is unique, which is why we offer ECT as an augmentative treatment option to:
- Hasten Recovery: For those experiencing severe and treatment-resistant conditions, ECT can accelerate the healing process. When traditional treatments like medications or psychotherapy take weeks or months to show results, ECT offers rapid symptom relief, often after just a few sessions.
- Safe Option During Pregnancy: One of the most crucial benefits of ECT is its safety during pregnancy. For women suffering from severe depression or bipolar disorder during pregnancy, ECT provides an effective alternative to medications that might harm the developing fetus.
- Acute Management in Emergencies: ECT is particularly effective in emergency situations where patients are at high risk, such as those with suicidal ideation or severe mania. It helps stabilize the patient quickly, preventing further deterioration and promoting swift recovery.
- Avoid Medication Side Effects: Many psychiatric medications come with their own set of side effects, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or liver damage. ECT serves as a valuable alternative or augmentative treatment for those who cannot tolerate medications or where medications fail to provide significant relief.
Myths and Facts
Myths
“ECT is painful and inhumane.”
Fact
ECT is performed under general anesthesia, and patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Modern ECT is a safe, humane, and highly regulated treatment option.
Myths
“ECT causes brain damage.”
Fact
ECT is performed under general anesthesia, and patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Modern ECT is a safe, humane, and highly regulated treatment option.
Myths
“ECT is only a last resort. ”
Fact
ECT is performed under general anesthesia, and patients do not feel pain during the procedure. Modern ECT is a safe, humane, and highly regulated treatment option.
Myths
“ECT permanently erases memories.”
Fact
While ECT can cause some temporary memory issues (mostly around the time of the procedure), these usually resolve quickly, and long-term memory loss is rare.
Myths
“ECT is outdated & no longer used. ”
Fact
ECT is widely used in modern psychiatric practice and is continuously supported by research as one of the most effective treatments for severe mental health conditions.
Possible Side Effects of ECT
While ECT is generally considered safe, it can have some side effects, including:
- Memory Loss: Some patients may experience temporary memory loss, especially around the time of the procedure. However, this usually resolves within a few weeks.
- Confusion: After each session, patients may feel a little disoriented or confused for a short period. This effect is temporary and fades quickly.
- Muscle Aches or Headaches: Some patients may experience mild muscle soreness or headaches after treatment, which can be managed with pain relievers. .
Cost-Benefit Analysis of ECT
Despite the focus on potential side effects, the cost-benefit analysis strongly supports the use of ECT in many cases. The rapid and effective symptom relief it provides, especially in life-threatening or treatment-resistant situations, makes it one of the most cost-effective and easily accessible treatment options. The potential benefits often far outweigh the risks, especially for individuals in acute psychiatric distress. If you or a loved one are struggling with severe mental health issues and haven’t found relief through traditional therapies, Electroconvulsive Therapy might be the key to your recovery. At Thriving Minds, we offer safe, compassionate, and evidence-based ECT treatments tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about ECT and schedule an appointment at Thriving Minds Mental Health Centre. Let us help you on the path to rapid recovery
We’ve helped millions feel better.
At Thriving Minds, we understand the importance of mental health and well-being. Thus, we believe in empowering our clients to reach their highest potential. Our team of experienced psychiatrist and psychologists are committed to providing the best care.
Dr. Smruti Pradhan
“Dr Ankita has helped me to live this life what I m living today. She is an amazing psychiatrist who will treat you without you even realising that you have being treated. I never hesitated to share anything with her during my therapy as I was very comfortable with her. Please feel free to consult her for your problem. I will always be thankful to her for whole of my life.”
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At Thriving Minds, we understand the importance of mental health and well-being. Thus, we believe in empowering our clients to reach their highest potential. Our team of experienced psychiatrist and psychologists are committed to providing the best care.
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Different forms of treatments are used by psychiatrists as per the patient’s needs. It may be talk therapy or psychosocial intervention or medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy will usually involve the therapist and the patient talking between themselves. The aim is to limit the symptoms for the patient to feel better. The therapy can continue over some time depending on the patient’s symptoms. It can involve either the individual patient or even a group of people. Talk therapy can be in many forms; such as helping the patient with a behavioral change; overcoming the effects of difficult relationships; etc. Psychiatrists diagnose mental disorders and other emotional troubles, use various types of medications to treat the symptoms. The process of it is not fully known but it may alter the brain’s chemical signalling. This will help control the symptoms. Patients undergoing long-term treatment will need to visit at regular intervals to monitor the changes. Psychiatrists also perform various interventional procedures like ECT, rTMS, tDCS, Ketamine Infusion etc. to alleviate symptoms and hasten recovery.
Mental disorder treatments depend upon the severity of the issue; such as the intensity of the problems faced; the pros and cons associated with a treatment; etc. The treatment is done by making a personalized and careful plan for the patient. This includes a collaboration between the patient and the physician. Most treatments include having psychotherapy sessions; medications; etc. Also; a good support system is paramount to the recovery of the person. Changes in lifestyle; such as daily exercise; adequate sleep; proper balanced diet can help the person recover quickly. The individualized treatment plan will involve all these steps to make a quick recovery. Doctors and therapists help out the person and their families in understanding their metal disorder and the ways to battle it out.
According to scientific studies; psychotherapy relieves the person from distress and helps them in living a better life. Approximately 75% of people who have undergone psychotherapy have felt better. It has been associated with influencing positive changes within the body and has shown significant progress in emotional and mental wellness. Psychotherapy also shows that people undergoing it take fewer sick leaves; experience fewer medical problems and report a satisfaction in their life and work. Today; techniques like brain imaging have shown that psychotherapy induces a change in the brain. This altered brain images are similar to changes that happen as a result of medications. It is important to know that to benefit from psychotherapy; one needs to be honest and insistent upon following their treatment plans. Sometimes; practices such as; journal writing may also be of help.
Telepsychiatry is a convenient option for many to seek easier to access and affordable options. It helps the patients by- Making health care accessible in regions where it is not easily provided. Taking the care facility to the patient’s home virtually. Limiting the needs to visit a doctor over long distance. Timely health care options. Continuous improvement in health care with virtual follow ups. Reducing the need to take leave from work or other services. Removing the obstacles to stigma associated with mental health. Allowing privacy and safety to many. Many people are comfortable in virtual set-ups rather than real time meetings. This will allow them to open up more and feel relaxed. Telepsychiatry has been a major way of seeking help; especially during Covid-19 pandemic.
