Electroconvulsive 
            Therapy (ECT) 
            Patient Information Leaflet 
                            
      
      Shining a light on the future
      
                                                         
                                                         
                                                        Contents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Page 
                                                        Introduction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3 
                                                         
                                                        What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3 
                                                         
                                                        Why has ECT been recommended?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   3 
                                                         
                                                        What will happen if I have ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 3-4  
                                                         
                                                        How will I feel immediately after ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4 
                                                         
                                                        How many treatments are usually necessary?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4 
                                                         
                                                        What are the benefits of ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   5 
                                                         
                                                        Are there any risks associated with ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5 
                                                         
                                                        What are the side effects of ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               5 
                                                         
                                                        What other treatments could I have?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             5 
                                                         
                                                        Will I have to give my consent?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 5 
                                                         
                                                        Can I refuse to have ECT?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       5-6 
                                                         
                                                        Are there risks in not having ECT as recommended?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               6 
                                                         
                                                        Outpatient ECT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6 
                                                         
                                                        Locations where ECT takes place                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 7 
                                                         
                                                        Useful resources                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                7 
                                                         
                                                        What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             7 
                                                        complaint about the service? 
                                                         
                                                        References 8 
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2
      
     Introduction 
     This leaflet will try to answer some of the questions you may have about Electroconvulsive 
     Therapy (ECT). 
      
     Sometimes it can be quite difficult to concentrate.  Do not be concerned if you cannot read 
     though all of this leaflet, just pick out the sections that seem important at the time and 
     come back to it later.  You may wish to use it to help you ask questions of staff, a relative 
     or other patients. 
      
     If you would like someone to explain the information in this leaflet please ask. 
      
     What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? 
     Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a well-established treatment, which involves a small 
     amount of electric current being passed across the brain for usually 0.2 - 0.8 seconds.  
     ECT is only given under a general anaesthetic and with drugs to relax the body’s muscles.  
     This produces an artificial epileptic fit that affects the entire brain, including the parts which 
     control thinking, mood, appetite and sleep.  Repeated treatments alter chemical messages 
     in the brain and bring them back to normal.  This helps you begin to recover from your 
     illness.                                       
      
     Why has ECT been recommended? 
     ECT is given for many reasons.  Your consultant may recommend that you be treated with 
     ECT if: 
       You have had a moderate – severe depressive illness for some time and a number of 
       different treatments have been tried without success. 
       You have tried several different antidepressants but have had to stop them because of 
       the side effects. 
       You have responded well to ECT in the past. 
       Your life is in danger because you are not eating or drinking enough, or you feel so bad 
       you may be thinking of harming and or killing yourself. 
       ECT is sometimes recommended for the treatment of catatonia or mania  
       (see understanding NICE guidance information for service users ECT leaflet Page 6). 
      
     For most people, ECT will produce short-term improvement, but it does act more quickly 
     than antidepressant medication.  The improvements produced by ECT will usually need to 
     be maintained with medication. 
      
     What will happen if I have ECT? 
     As you will be having a general anaesthetic, you will be asked to have nothing to eat or 
     drink for a period of time prior to your treatment (you will be advised of this time on an 
     individual basis).  You will, however, be able to take certain morning medication as usual, 
     with the minimum amount of water.  Your doctor will advise you about which medicines, if 
     any, you should take before ECT.  Specific arrangements will be made if you are a 
     diabetic.  Your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will also be checked prior to you 
     receiving ECT. 
      
     The treatment, which only takes a few minutes, takes place in the ECT treatment room. No 
     other patients will be able to see you having the treatment. 
      
                         3
      
     A nurse will take you into the treatment room and introduce you to the team who will be 
     looking after you.   
      
     You will be asked to lie down on a bed and take your shoes off for treatment. 
      
     Your treatment will involve certain physical assessments, which require monitoring 
     equipment being attached to your body.  Your ECT treatment team will explain the specific 
     reasons for the use of this equipment. 
      
     The anaesthetist will ask you to hold out your hand so you can be given an anaesthetic 
     injection.  You will be given some oxygen to breathe as you go off to sleep.  Once asleep 
     you will receive your ECT. 
      
     When you wake up you will usually be in the recovery room area and there will be a nurse 
     with you to make sure that you feel as comfortable as possible.  At this point you will still 
     have monitoring equipment attached to your body.  Once you are awake you will be 
     offered refreshments before you leave the department. 
      
     A few practical points before you receive ECT 
       Wear loose clothes 
       Remove any jewellery or hair slides 
       Remove make up and nail varnish 
       Remove your spectacles or contact lenses 
       Remove your dentures 
       Don’t wear hairspray or gel 
       Empty your bladder 
      
     If you have any valuables, they can be looked after by the relative or carer accompanying 
     you for your treatment, or department staff can store them securely until you are ready to 
     leave the department. 
      
     How will I feel immediately after ECT? 
     Most people feel all right after treatment, although it is common to feel a little drowsy or 
     dizzy and you may possibly have a sore throat. 
      
     Some people wake up with no side effects at all and simply feel relaxed; others may feel 
     somewhat confused or have a headache. 
      
     Some people experience nausea and muscle ache which if necessary can be treated with 
     medication. 
      
     The nurse will be there to help you through any problems you may experience. 
      
     How many treatments are usually necessary? 
     ECT is usually given twice a week.  It is not possible to say exactly how many treatments 
     you may need.  Some people get better with as few as two or three treatments, others may 
     need up to twelve and occasionally more. 
      
                         4