Electro-convulsive therapy

Electro-convulsive therapy is provided from the hospital for the treatment of severe depression, usually when other treatments have not been effective.

What is electro-convulsive therapy, and what is it used for?

Electro-convulsive therapy is often misunderstood and misrepresented. People who opt for this as a treatment often become advocates for its effectiveness. Over a 3 to 6 week period you will receive between 6 and 12 treatments. It will sometimes be given once every couple of weeks or once a month to prevent a recurrence of symptoms.

Electro-convulsive therapy is given under general anaesthetic and treatment usually takes no more than 10 minutes. During treatment, a tiny amount of electric current is sent to the brain. This affects the entire brain and repeated treatments alter the brains chemical messages bringing them back to normal.

Our electro-convulsive therapy booklet 2019 [PDF] 655 KB tells you more about the treatment and what to expect. We have also developed an electro-convulsive therapy diary and workbook to support you through your treatment journey.

If you think you might benefit from this treatment, you will need to be referred by a consultant psychiatrist. Electro-convulsive therapy is available at this clinic to people from Devon and Cornwall.