Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Treatment for Severe Mental Health Issues

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is recognized by the National Institutes of Mental Health as a successful treatment option for severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Patients with these illnesses may experience sadness, despair, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite and inability to sleep. They may also have suicidal tendencies. 

In recent years, medicine has vastly improved the diagnosis and treatment options available for those suffering from mental illness. New therapies and medications have helped countless people recover from debilitating psychiatric problems that were previously thought untreatable. Despite these advances, not everyone experiences the same success. Electroconvulsive Therapy is an option for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies and medication.

What is Electroconvulsive Therapy?

Electroconvulsive Therapy is a treatment for adults 18 years and older who suffer from severe episodes of major depression, persistent suicidal ideation, mania and some types of schizophrenia and who have either not responded to medications or whose symptoms are too severe to permit medication trials. The procedure occurs two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments.

Is ECT Effective?

Electroconvulsive Therapy has been proven to be a useful treatment method with more than half of severely treatment-resistant patients achieving remission, according to the National Institutes of Health. Still, there is no guarantee that ECT will be effective. Your doctor will discuss with you why ECT inpatient or ECT outpatient therapy is being recommended and what alternative treatments may be available.

Am I Eligible for ECT?

There are risks associated with any treatment procedure and individual results may vary. Please consult the dedicated professionals within the ECT program at Rolling Hills Hospital to assess if you are a candidate for ECT therapy. Our Medical Staff will also consult with you on the risks and benefits of ECT treatment if you are a suitable candidate.

What to Expect after ECT?

While Electroconvulsive Therapy is an extremely effective treatment, it is only one component of a complete treatment regimen. After your ECT course, medications will likely be required as maintenance therapy to help prevent a return of your illness. ECT cannot resolve other problems associated with personal relationships or how an individual copes with the stressors of life. Other interventions such as psychotherapy may be recommended.

LEARN ABOUT ECT

Today, as many as 100,000 people in the United States receive ECT each year to treat severe mental illnesses. Clinical and technical improvements in ECT have resulted in more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Research has found that ECT can provide dramatic, life-saving results when other treatments, such as psychiatric medications or psychotherapy, have failed or proven ineffective.

ECT

It is common for patients to experience some confusion immediately after an ECT treatment. A patient may wake up and not remember where he or she is or why he or she is receiving ECT. This generally lasts from a few minutes to several hours. Many patients experience temporary loss of recent or remote memories with ECT, especially with bilateral ECT. Other common side effects that may occur on the days a patient has an ECT treatment are nausea, headache, muscle aches or jaw discomfort.

There are risks associated with any treatment procedure and individual results may vary. All patient referrals to the ECT program must be medically cleared by a professional before the initial consultation with our staff. During the consultation, our staff will explain the details of the procedure and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

Our experienced team of psychiatrists, anesthesiologists and registered nurses has received extensive specialized training in electroconvulsive therapy in order to provide our patients with the very best care in a secure, compassionate environment. Our staff will consult with you on the risks and benefits of ECT if you are a suitable candidate.

At Rolling Hills Hospital, ECT is performed on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Referrals for ECT may be made via the ECT Fast Track process. For more information, please contact the ECT Charge Nurse at 615-628-5743.

Levels of Care

By offering multiple levels of care, Rolling Hills Hospital, as an ECT treatment center, is able to better serve our patients and their family members wherever they may be on the journey to recovery.

In addition to Electroconvulsive Therapy, we offer inpatient and outpatient service programs for teens, adults and older adults. Each one of these services can help our patients reach their goals and provide patients with the tools necessary to live a happier, healthier life.

There are risks associated with any treatment procedure and individual results may vary. Please consult the dedicated professionals within the ECT program at Rolling Hills Hospital to assess if you are a candidate for ECT treatment. Our Medical Staff will also consult with you on the risks and benefits of ECT treatment if you are a suitable candidate.

Give Us a Call Today

Admissions Crisis Line

615-807-4059

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Rolling Hills Hospital

2014 Quail Hollow Cir.
Franklin, TN 37067

Admissions Center: 615-807-4059
Hospital Main Line: 615-628-5700