The Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) service is available to patients from South Westminster and South Kensington & Chelsea. Referrals are available from psychiatrists in in-patient and out-patient settings. Clinics are on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9.15am.
What is ECT?
Most people who have ECT prescribed for them suffer from severe depression or, more rarely, some other major mental illnesses. Although medication is available to help with depression and other mental illnesses, some people do not recover completely and others take a long time to recover. ECT is often used for these patients.
How ECT can help
- it may be helpful if you have not got better with anti-depressant medication;
- it may help you if you can't take anti-depressant medication because of the side effects;
- it may help you if you have responded well to ECT in the past; or
- it may help you if you feel so overwhelmed by your depression that it is difficult for you to function.