Treatments & Services

Electroconvulsive therapy

If you, or someone you love, are struggling with a mental health condition that has not responded well to other forms of therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be right for you.

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Alteration of Nerve Activity Through Targeted Delivery of a Stimulus

How ECT works

ECT involves administering a brief electrical current to the brain while patients are under anesthesia. Parameters like heart and brain activity are carefully monitored throughout the process and an ECT-certified psychiatrist, ECT-trained nursed and a dedicated anesthesiologist oversee the procedure. An individual, pain-free treatment lasts only 30 seconds to a minute. ECT is available on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

While the exact mechanism of action is still unclear, research shows that ECT boosts the function and availability of neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters deliver messages from one brain cell to another. The release of these chemicals make the brain cells work better, resulting in depressive symptoms being overpowered by improved brain cell function.

Is electroconvulsive therapy right for you?

Electroconvulsive therapy is offered at Atlantic Health CentraState, Morristown and Overlook medical centers and is sometimes recommended for individuals who fit the following criteria:

Experiencing severe depression

Particularly when accompanied by psychosis, thoughts of self-harm, or failure to thrive

Experiencing treatment-resistant depression

When depression does not improve with medications or other treatments

Diagnosed with mania

Defined as intense euphoria, agitation, or hyperactivity as part of bipolar disorder

Diagnosed with catatonia

Defined as a lack of movement, strange movements, lack of speech, often related to schizophrenia

Struggling with dementia paired with aggression

When symptoms negatively affect quality of life and other treatments have failed

Have one of these conditions and are pregnant or may become pregnant

When medication use is limited to avoid harming the developing fetus

Have one of these conditions and have a lower tolerance for medication

May not be able to manage drug side effects

Have one of these conditions and have had previous success with electroconvulsive therapy

May be recommended again in similar circumstances

Find ECT therapy in New Jersey

Common questions about electroconvulsive therapy

After a normal course of six to 12 treatments, three times per week, many patients with severe symptoms lead active, happier lives. In addition, ECT is also associated with decreased psychiatric hospitalization rates and reduced long-term risks of suicide.

Patients often notice an improvement in symptoms after two to three sessions and describe the treatment as leading to major improvements in their daily lives.

Prior to treatment, patients will receive comprehensive psychiatric, medical, and laboratory evaluations to ensure that treatments are administered in the safest, most effective manner possible. Treatment can begin within five to seven days after the evaluations are complete. Patient consent (or consent by a legal guardian) is required for ECT treatment and the patient (or legal guardian) may withdraw consent at any time.

In addition to being referred by a physician or behavioral health professional, patients can self-refer for ECT. An ECT coordinator, who is a registered nurse, will review preliminary information with you and if you are a candidate for ECT, you will be scheduled for an initial evaluation by an ECT-credentialed psychiatrist.

When ECT treatment is provided at the right time in the right way, it can be a positive life-changing experience. While there may be some side-effects of ECT, in comparison to life-threatening risks of mental illness, treatment benefits can far outweigh these side effects, which may headache, muscle soreness, nausea and grogginess. Some patients may temporarily experience short-term memory loss, which may clear in a few days or few weeks.

Because of ECT, a woman is happy and content at the office.

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