Further information about the content, reference sources or
production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient
Information Centre.
This information can be made available in a range of formats on
request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, BSL, easy read or other
languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre
Tel: 0191 223 2545
Electroconvulsive
Therapy (ECT)
Patient Information Leaflet
Published by the Patient Information Centre
2015 Copyright, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS
Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/187/0815 August 2015 V6
www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic
Tel: 0191 223 2545
Review date 2018
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@ntwnhs
www.facebook.com/NTWNHS
Shining a light on the future
12
Contents
Introduction
Page
3
What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
3
Why has ECT been recommended?
3-4
What will happen if I have ECT?
4-5
How will I feel immediately after ECT?
5-6
How many treatments are usually necessary?
6
What are the benefits of ECT?
6
Are there any risks associated with ECT?
6
What are the side effects of ECT?
6-7
What other treatments could I have?
7
Will I have to give my consent?
7
Can I refuse to have ECT?
7-8
Are there risks in not having ECT as
recommended?
9
Outpatient ECT
9
Locations where ECT takes place
9
Useful resources
10
What if I have a comment, suggestion,
compliment or complaint about the service?
11
References
11
2
What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or
complaint about the service?
If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or
complaint you can:
 talk to the people directly involved in your care
 ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a
form on the Trust website www.ntw.nhs.uk (click on the
‘Contact Us’ tab)
 telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
 We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your
feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and
act upon issues that you bring to our attention.
- Points of You - available on wards or from staff. Some
areas of the Trust have electronic feedback touch screens,
staff can help you to use these. - Friends and Family Test - available from staff or online at
www.ntw.nhs.uk/fft References

NTW(C)51 – Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Policy
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
 Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) - Royal College of
Psychiatrists
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/treatments/ect.aspx

The use of electroconvulsive therapy - Understanding NICE
guidance – information for service users, their advocates and
carers, and the public – National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta59/resources/ta59electroconvulsive-therapy-ect-understanding-nice-guidance2
11
Useful resources
Introduction

This leaflet will try to answer some of the questions you may
have about Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) - Royal College of
Psychiatrists
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/treatments/ect.aspx

The use of electroconvulsive therapy - Understanding NICE
guidance – information for service users, their advocates and
carers, and the public – National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta59/resources/ta59electroconvulsive-therapy-ect-understanding-nice-guidance2

Patient Information Centre, St Nicholas Hospital – 0191 223
2545 – can provide a printed copy of the above publications.

Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service – Advocacy
support for people treated under the Mental Health Act – this
leaflet is available from wards and departments.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) – can offer help
and advice
North of Tyne – Tel: 0800 032 0202
South of Tyne – Tel: 0800 328 4397
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.
10
3

ECT is sometimes recommended for the treatment of
catatonia or mania (see understanding NICE guidance
information for service users ECT leaflet Page 6).
Are there risks in not having ECT as recommended?
If you choose not to accept your doctor’s recommendation to
have ECT you may experience a longer and more severe
period of illness and disability than might otherwise be the case.
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.
Outpatient ECT
What will happen if I have ECT?

use machinery

drink alcohol until at least 24 hours after the anaesthetic

sign any legal documents

make any important decisions
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.
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.
4
If you are scheduled to go home on the same day as your ECT
treatment you must not
 drive a vehicle
You must have a responsible adult with you during this time.
Locations where ECT takes place
Physical Treatment Centre
Treatment Centre
Hadrian Clinic
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Westgate Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE
Telephone: 0191 246 8663
St Georges Park
Morpeth
NE61 2NU
Telephone: 01670 501 759
ECT Department
Tranwell Unit
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Sheriff Hill
Gateshead, NE9 6SX
Telephone: 0191 445 6259
9
of your consent to ECT will not in any way alter your right to
continue treatment with the best alternative methods available.
Very occasionally, a person may become particularly seriously
ill. This means that they may be suicidal, convinced that they
do not deserve to be treated, or possibly eating or drinking too
little to stay alive for much longer. In these circumstances ECT
may be given to patients without their consent, provided that
they have been assessed as being unable to make a decision
about treatment for themselves at this time. For this to happen,
two doctors and a social worker must agree that the person is
so unwell that they need to be kept in hospital under a section
of the Mental Health Act 1983. Then another independent
psychiatrist, sent by the Care Quality Commission, must agree
that the treatment is necessary, and that the person is unable to
make a decision for themselves at this time regarding
treatment.
If your condition is considered to be so severe that any delay
would put you at significant risk, then the doctor in charge of
your care may decide to start your course of treatment as an
emergency while waiting for the independent psychiatrist to
arrive. If you are detained in hospital under a section of the
Mental Health Act 1983, you will be given a separate leaflet to
help you understand your rights with regards to consent and
ECT.
It is possible that your present condition, or other factors, may
affect your capacity to make a decision as to whether you wish
to have the treatment. In this event, the treatment may still be
given, with the safeguard that your own doctor’s decision will be
subject to a second opinion by a consultant psychiatrist from
another area of the Trust.
If you do not have a relative or carer to represent you, an
Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) will be appointed
to act on your behalf.
8
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.
5
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.
result of ECT. Your memory will be re-assessed after each
treatment session and on-going checks will be made for any
signs of memory loss.
If you notice memory loss persisting through the days after the
treatment, please discuss this with your doctor.
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.
What are the benefits of ECT?
ECT is an effective treatment and over eight out of ten people
who receive ECT respond well to it.
Are there any risks associated with ECT?
ECT is a low risk procedure with a mortality rate similar to that
of anaesthesia for minor surgical procedures. The risk of death
is one per 10,000 patients or one per 80,000 treatments. Very
rarely, deaths do occur and these are usually because of heart
problems. If you do have heart disease it may still be possible
for you to have ECT safely as long as the doctor takes special
precautions, such as heart monitoring. Your doctor will ask
another specialist to advise on this if there is any concern.
What are the side effects of ECT?
Some patients may be confused just after they wake up from
the treatment and this generally clears up within an hour or so.
Your memory of recent events may be upset and dates, names
of friends, addresses and telephone numbers may be
temporarily forgotten. In most cases this memory loss goes
away within a few days or weeks. Occasionally some people
continue to experience memory problems for several months.
Research studies have suggested that a number of people
believe they have suffered long-term memory problems as a
6
What other treatments could I have?
Depressive illness can be helped with anti-depressant
medication, psychological therapy treatment and counselling,
either alone or together. Catatonia and mania are usually
managed with medication. Many people with mental health
problems benefit from self-help techniques, including support
groups.
Your doctor will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
other treatments with you and will try to answer any questions
you may have.
Will I have to give my consent?
At some stage before the treatment starts, you will be asked by
your doctor to sign a consent form for ECT. Before you sign the
form the doctor should explain what the treatment involves, the
benefits, any alternative treatments and why you are having it.
Also, the doctor should be available to answer any questions
you may have about the treatment. When you sign the form,
you will be agreeing to have up to a certain number of
treatments.
Can I refuse to have ECT?
You can refuse to have ECT and you may withdraw your
consent at any time, even before the first treatment has been
given. The consent form is not a legal document and does not
commit you to having the treatment. It is a written record that
an explanation has been given to you and that you understand
to your satisfaction what is going to happen to you. Withdrawal
7