Cross Creek Hospital Together with Ascension Seton, located in Austin, Texas, offers electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for adults age 18 and older who are living with severe mental health concerns. When symptoms have not improved with medication or other forms of treatment, ECT can provide the relief people need. Our experienced team delivers ECT safely, using current technology and close clinical oversight at every step.
What Is Electroconvulsive Therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy is a medical treatment that uses carefully controlled electrical currents to produce a brief seizure in the brain. The procedure is performed by trained medical professionals while the patient is under general anesthesia. There is no pain involved.
Although the name can sound intimidating, modern ECT is a safe and well-established form of treatment that has helped many people whose symptoms did not respond to other approaches. During an ECT procedure, a clinician applies a brief, targeted electrical current to the head, and the treatment itself only takes a few minutes.
How Does ECT Work?
ECT influences the brain activity and chemistry associated with certain behavioral health conditions. The brief seizure that occurs during a session affects the areas of the brain that help regulate mood, sleep and appetite. For many people, these changes lead to a noticeable reduction in symptoms.
Because ECT works differently than medication, it can be an ideal option when other treatments have not provided the relief a person needs.
Who Is a Candidate for ECT at Our Austin Hospital?
At our hospital in Austin, Texas, we provide ECT for adults age 18 and older who continue to experience distressing symptoms despite having received other types of psychiatric care.
Before recommending ECT, a mental health professional carefully evaluates each person’s history, current symptoms and overall health to determine whether it will be a good fit. The number of sessions a person receives depends on their individual needs and how they respond to the treatment.
Electroconvulsive therapy may be considered for patients who are struggling with concerns such as:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Manic episodes
- Catatonia
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Parkinson’s disease
- Psychosis
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
What To Expect During an ECT Session
We provide ECT in a dedicated suite that is equipped with current technology and staffed by a specially trained team of clinicians.
Before the procedure begins, a member of the medical team administers anesthesia so that the patient stays comfortable and feels no pain. The treatment only lasts a few minutes, and most people are ready to leave the suite after a short period of recovery. From preparation through recovery, a typical session takes about one hour.
ECT tends to be most effective when it is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes participation in therapy.
Begin ECT in Austin, Texas
If you or someone you love has not found relief through other forms of treatment, ECT at our hospital in Austin, Texas, can be a valuable next step. Our compassionate team is here to answer your questions and help determine whether ECT may be right for you or a loved one. To learn more or to schedule an assessment, please contact us today.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical team at Cross Creek Hospital Together with Ascension Seton.
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