Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Clinical Services: Psychiatry

Upper East Side
525 East 68th Street
New York, NY 10065

Mon-Fri 09:00am - 05:00pm

Mid County Westchester
21 Bloomingdale Road
White Plains, NY 10605

Mon-Fri 09:00am - 05:00pm

What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for some forms of mental illness. Resulting in a positive therapeutic change to brain function, ECT utilizes a mild electric current to stimulate a brief seizure in a highly controlled setting. Though research is still ongoing to understand the specific mechanism of action for ECT, psychiatrists can use this safe method for efficient and effective treatment.

If you are interested in learning more about ECT services, please call our care team at 914.997.4323.

What are the benefits of ECT?

ECT can quickly treat several psychiatric conditions, especially when patients experience severe symptoms or are unresponsive to trials of multiple medications. ECT also typically works faster than psychiatric medications.

80% of patients with treatment-resistant depression whose symptoms have not responded to trials of two or three different medications experience symptom relief with ECT. These results are similar for patients with treatment-resistant mania, catatonia or schizophrenia.

What are the side effects of ECT?

As with many medical procedures and treatments, patients undergoing ECT may experience some side effects following the procedure.

Immediately after treatment, patients may experience confusion that will resolve within several minutes to hours. Some patients may experience headache, nausea, jaw pain or muscle aches, for which we recommend treating with over-the-counter medications.

Occasionally, patients may have trouble remembering events from the days and weeks before the treatment or events that occur during the acute phase of the treatment. These symptoms often resolve within a few months following treatment.

Are there any risks from undergoing ECT?

Like any medical treatment, ECT can have some risk. Since ECT is performed under general anesthesia, patients may carry the risk of increased heart rate or blood pressure, which in rare cases can lead to heart problems. When determining if ECT is the right treatment method for you, your physician will evaluate your health for any heart or blood pressure risk.

Our ultimate goal is patient wellbeing and safety. Our providers strive to reduce the risks of ECT as much as possible while understanding that the risks of severe, untreated depression are often greater than the risk of ECT.

How do I know if ECT is right for me?

ECT is most useful for patients suffering from conditions such as severe depression, severe mania, catatonia and schizophrenia. ECT is particularly useful when other treatment methods, such as medications or psychotherapy, are deemed to be ineffective or result in intolerable side effects.

If I decide to move forward with ECT treatments, what should I expect during treatment?

Your doctor will share with you how to prepare for treatment, including guidelines on whether to take your current medications the day prior to or in the morning before treatment. You should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the procedure except small sips of water with any medications necessary to be taken before the ECT procedure.

On the treatment day, we suggest wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Once in the procedure room, you will be introduced to your treatment team, including a psychiatrist, ECT nurse and an anesthesiologist. Here you will have the opportunity to ask any questions.

Once you are ready to begin, you should expect the following:

An intravenous (IV) line specialist (nurse or doctor) will place an IV into your arm or hand.
Your care team will place monitors on your head, chest, arms and legs.
Medications will be administered through the IV to help you fall asleep.
When you are confirmed to be asleep, medications will be administered to relax your muscles.
Your psychiatrist will administer a mild electric current to cause a brief seizure.

You will be asleep for the procedure for about 5 minutes total. After the treatment, you will slowly wake up and be moved to the recovery area.

The entire process from check-in through recovery lasts about 75 minutes.

More Frequently Asked Questions About ECT

How many times will I need ECT?

We generally treat patients until their symptoms remit.

We treat 2-3 times a week during the acute phase of treatments. Most patients who are treated with ECT for depression receive 8-10 treatments. However, everyone is different, and our ECT team will provide you with a personalized treatment plan during your course of ECT.

Patients with illnesses other than depression may need more or fewer treatments, and each individual's treatment plan is tailored to their symptoms.

We may recommend that patients return for maintenance ECT periodically.

What happens if I have a side effect?

The ECT team will carefully monitor you for side effects. In order to prevent medical side effects, we will ask you to see your regular medical doctor prior to starting ECT. During the course of treatment, we will monitor you for side effects by asking you questions, reviewing your vital signs and administering tests. Sometimes, we can modify the treatment to alleviate side effects.

Is ECT covered by insurance?

ECT is usually covered by insurance. If you are interested in ECT, our program liaison will assist you in determining if your insurance covers the procedure.

What happens after ECT? Do I have to keep taking medications?

We work carefully with your outpatient psychiatrist during and after your treatment. Some patients will be able to take fewer medications. As some medications prolong the good effect of ECT, we may recommend to your psychiatrist to change or add to your medication regimen.

Some patients require or request maintenance ECT, or a set of treatments that occur on a reduced schedule to keep the good effects of ECT lasting as long as possible. The ECT team will discuss the options with you as your symptoms improve.