Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

Electroconvulsive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Due to tremendous improvements in safety and efficacy of this treatment, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has proven to be very successful for many persons with severe mania and depression, as well as for pregnant women and those for whom other treatment efforts have failed.

The ECT procedure involves use of a short-acting anesthetic and administration of a small amount of electric current to the brain. Side effects may include temporary confusion and memory impairment, headache, nausea, muscle soreness and heart disturbances. Benefits are often seen immediately which is important in persons with severe symptoms, suicidal ideation, or those who cannot tolerate or do not respond to medications. Electroconvulsive therapy often results in subsequent reduction in doses of medications.