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By Mayo Clinic staffBefore having your first ECT treatment, you need a complete physical examination, in addition to a psychiatric evaluation. You may also see an anesthesiologist to go over risks associated with having anesthesia. These exams help make sure that ECT is safe for you.
A pre-ECT evaluation usually includes:
- A medical history
- A physical examination
- Basic blood tests
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart health
References
- Baghai TC, et al. Electroconvulsive therapy and its different indications. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2008;10:105.
- George MS, et al. Nompharmacological somatic treatments. In: Hales RE, et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=338950. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Payne N, et al. Electroconvulsive therapy: Part I. A perspective on the evolution and current practice of ECT. Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 2009;15:346.
- Fact sheet: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/treatment/electroconvulsive-therapy-ect. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Depression: Electroconvulsive therapy. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/058.html. Accessed May 26, 2010.
- Doughrerty DD, et al. Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: New neurotherapeutic interventions. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:31.
- Lisanby SH. Electroconvulsive therapy for depression. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;298:330.
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