Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatment in India – Best Hospitals & Doctors

Learn about Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Electroconvulsive Therapy and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

Partner Hospitals

0 partner in India for this surgery

Specialist Doctors

13 Surgeons linked to this surgery

Treatment Cost

USD 275 – USD 881

About Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a safe and highly effective psychiatric treatment primarily used for severe, treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Under brief general anesthesia, a carefully controlled electrical current is passed through the brain to induce a generalized seizure. This controlled neurochemical event leads to rapid changes in brain chemistry, providing significant relief from symptoms of major depression, bipolar disorder, and catatonia. Modern ECT is a refined procedure, performed by a specialized psychiatrist and anesthesiologist team, with significant advancements in patient comfort and safety. It is often considered when medications and psychotherapy have not been successful, offering a life-changing intervention for many individuals.

Key Highlights

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.

Typical hospital stay: Usually outpatient (same-day discharge) or 1 day for observation
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.

＋ − Which hospitals are best for electroconvulsive therapy in India?

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.

＋ − How do I choose the right doctor for electroconvulsive therapy?

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.

＋ − What factors affect the cost of electroconvulsive therapy?

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.

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USD 275 – USD 881
Typical stay: Usually outpatient (same-day discharge) or 1 day for observation
Recovery: ~Cognitive recovery over 2-6 weeks; full therapeutic effect is often seen during the treatment course

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 275 – USD 881	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 2,049 – USD 6,556	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

PATIENT REVIEW

Vihaan Saxena, a 58-year-old retired software...

Vihaan Saxena, a 58-year-old retired software engineer, had always been a quiet, analytical man. His depression began two years ago after the sudden loss of his wife. He spiraled into a severe, treatment-resistant melancholic depression. He stopped eating, speaking, and was nearly catatonic, requiring full-time care from his daughter. He had tried over ten different antidepressants and combinations, plus psychotherapy, with no relief. His psychiatrist, Dr. Mehta, recommended ECT as a potentially life-saving intervention, explaining its high efficacy rate in such severe, medication-resistant cases. Vihaan was too ill to consent; his daughter provided consent on his behalf. He received a course of 12 bilateral ECT sessions under general anesthesia. The first few treatments showed little change, but by the fifth session, his daughter noticed he was making eye contact. By the end of the course, he was speaking in short sentences, eating independently, and expressing grief for his wife instead of mute despair. His emotional journey was from a state of profound, trapped darkness to one of re-emergence. While he still grieves and requires maintenance medication, he can engage in therapy and find small moments of connection with his family, something he describes as 'returning from a place with no light.'