Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatment in India
About Electroconvulsive Therapy
Key Highlights
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Highly effective for severe, treatment-resistant depression and other mental illnesses.Produces rapid symptom relief, often faster than medications.Performed under general anesthesia and muscle relaxation for patient comfort and safety.Modern techniques use ultra-brief pulses and unilateral electrode placement to minimize side effects.Administered by a specialized team including a psychiatrist and anesthesiologist.Can be a life-saving intervention in cases of severe suicidal ideation or catatonia./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with suicidal intent or psychosis.
- Treatment-resistant depression unresponsive to multiple antidepressant trials.
- Severe manic episodes in Bipolar Disorder, especially with psychosis.
- Catatonia (a state of unresponsiveness or agitation).
- Acute schizophrenia with severe symptoms or catatonic features.
- Certain movement disorders or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease with severe depression.
- When a rapid therapeutic response is medically necessary.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluation to confirm the indication for ECT.
- Pre-anesthesia check-up, including blood tests, ECG, and sometimes a chest X-ray.
- Detailed discussion with the psychiatrist and anesthesiologist about the procedure, benefits, and risks.
- Informed consent process, ensuring the patient (or guardian) understands the treatment.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure (nil by mouth) as per anesthesia guidelines.
- Temporary adjustment or discontinuation of certain medications as advised by the doctor.
- Arranging for transportation home after the procedure, as driving is not permitted.
Risks & possible complications
- Common, temporary side effects: headache, muscle soreness, nausea, and confusion immediately after treatment.
- Short-term memory loss for events around the time of treatment (anterograde amnesia).
- Temporary difficulty recalling past memories (retrograde amnesia), which usually improves over weeks to months.
- Rare medical risks associated with general anesthesia (e.g., allergic reaction, breathing problems).
- Very rare risk of prolonged seizure or cardiovascular complications.
- Potential for relapse of symptoms after a successful course, which may require maintenance ECT.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Patient awakens in a recovery room monitored by nursing staff; confusion or disorientation is common but temporary.
- Most physical side effects (headache, nausea) resolve within a few hours.
- Memory and concentration typically improve over the following days and weeks after the course is complete.
- A full course usually involves 6-12 treatments, administered 2-3 times per week.
- Post-treatment, a family member or friend should accompany the patient home.
- Regular follow-up with the psychiatrist is crucial to monitor progress and plan maintenance therapy (medication or occasional ECT sessions).
- Patients are advised to avoid driving, operating machinery, or making major decisions on the day of treatment.
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Typical hospital stay:
Usually outpatient (same-day discharge) or 1 day for observation
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Expected recovery time:
Cognitive recovery over 2-6 weeks; full therapeutic effect is often seen during the treatment course
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering electroconvulsive therapy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with psychiatry departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform electroconvulsive therapy. MediFyr helps you compare psychiatry specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for electroconvulsive therapy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 272 – USD 870 | Usually outpatient (same-day discharge) or 1 day for observation | ~ Cognitive recovery over 2-6 weeks; full therapeutic effect is often seen during the treatment course | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 2,013 – USD 6,442 | Usually outpatient (same-day discharge) or 1 day for observation | ~ Cognitive recovery over 2-6 weeks; full therapeutic effect is often seen during the treatment course | Know More |
As a 72-year-old retired classical dancer...
As a 72-year-old retired classical dancer with treatment-resistant depression, I'd lost all joy in life until Dr. Kurinjinathan introduced me to novel neuromodulation therapy. His integration of movement therapy with medication completely transformed my recovery, I'm now teaching dance to seniors with mental health challenges.
Psychiatry Specialists for Electroconvulsive Therapy
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