|
|
MICHIGAN ADDITIONAL SERVICES
By offering the latest and most innovative procedures and cutting edge technology, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland provides you and your family with peace of mind and comprehensive programs and services that work. From cataract surgery to balloon sinuplasty to acid reflux, you will find that our specialists are second to none in Michigan and throughout the nation.
|
|
|
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE COPY
OF THE MEDICAL REPORT
|
|
 |
Neelakantam Jolepalem, MD
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
Behavioral Medicine
View Profile
|
THE FACTS ABOUT Electroconvulsive Therapy
Background
Depression, an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, is more than simply feeling blue; it is a medical condition that can affect one’s quality of life. While there are many things that contribute to depression, it is generally the result of biological, social or emotional factors. Furthermore, depression can be caused by one of the issues or by a combination of the three. Additional factors that may contribute to one’s risk for depression include:
Hereditary: If your family has a history of depression, you may be more likely to also experience depression.
Gender: Women are affected by depression nearly two times more than men.
Stressors: People are more likely to display symptoms of depression during times of high stress including financial difficulties, loss of a loved one, physical illness or other times of high uncertainty.
Substance Abuse: Those that abuse drugs and or alcohol are more susceptible to depression.
Chronic Illness: Those with a physical illness that induces a large amount of pain are also more likely to suffer from depression.
|
Podcast Posted: 05/27/2009
Duration:
|
|
|
|
An estimated 18.8 million adult Americans suffer from depression during any one-year period. Many of the individuals that are depressed, are able to undergo counseling, psychotherapy or take medications to relieve the symptoms. However, there are some individuals with severe depression that may benefit from an alternative treatment such as Electroconvulsive Therapy or ECT.
Those with severe depression suffer from a greatly diminished quality of life. Individuals with severe depression may have some or all of the following symptoms: feelings of hopelessness, despair, sadness, irritability or worthlessness, trouble sleeping, crying spells, loss of interest in normal activities, and thoughts of suicide.
“People with severe depression are affected physically and emotionally,” says Dr. Neel Jolepalem, a St. Joe behavioral medicine physician.
He recommends ECT when more conservative treatment methods are ineffective.
“For those with severe depression, ECT may be the best method to alleviate symptoms,” says Dr. Jolepalem. “It is a safe, painless way in order to help these individuals regain their quality of life.”
TREATMENT
ECT is a painless, safe, short procedure that uses electrical currents to cause changes in the brain chemistry. ECT improves and can often eliminate symptoms of severe depression faster and more effectively than other treatments.
Prior to undergoing ECT treatment, you will have a psychiatric evaluation as well as a physical exam. You may also meet with an anesthesiologist to ensure that there are no complications with the treatment.
An IV will be used to disperse fluids and medicines throughout the 10-15 minute procedure. Electrode pads will be placed on the patient’s head, either unilaterally or bilaterally dependent on the doctor’s evaluation and recommendation.
Once the anesthetics have set in and the patient is asleep, electrical currents will be passed through the brain resulting in a 30-60 second seizure. Patients will be unaware of the seizures due to the anesthesia.
After the treatment, patients will be monitored in a recovery area. They may experience confusion when they wake up which can last for a few minutes to several hours.
Patients typically receive 2-3 ECT treatments, for 3-4 consecutive weeks.
RISKS
While ECT is safe, there are still risks and side effects.
Memory Loss: Short-term and retrograde amnesia are two types of memory loss that are associated with ECT. Commonly, people have difficulty remembering the days or weeks leading up to the treatment. Others will have more extensive memory loss and have difficulty remembering events that occurred years previous to the treatment and may even have difficulty recalling events that happen after treatment has stopped. In rare cases, individuals have experienced permanent memory loss.
Confusion: Following an ECT treatment, individuals may experience a period of confusion where they do not remember where they are or why they are there. Increased ECT treatments often lead to increased periods of confusion. These bouts can range from a few minutes to several days.
Physical Complications: The treatment of ECT may cause physical complications including headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting.
REFERRALS
Please contact the SJMO referral line at 800.372.6094 for a Behavioral Medicine physician near you.
|
|
|
|
|
|