Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Program in Tucson, AZ

While many people with mental health disorders respond well to psychotherapy and pharmaceutical interventions, there are those who grapple with certain illnesses that aren’t necessarily alleviated by these same means.

For example, severe depression, depression with episodes of psychosis, catatonia, severe mania, schizophrenia, and some neurological disorders may continue to impact people’s lives even when professional treatment is sought. When this is the case, alternative forms of care may be needed to give individuals the results that will enable them to live healthier lives.

At Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, our commitment to our patients is our number one priority and we are pleased to offer people with a broad spectrum of services that can ultimately make their lives better. Given our dedication to superior patient care, we are pleased to offer specialized treatment in the form of electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in patients to provide relief from mental disorders.

Most patients receive ECT treatments three times per week, though the frequency of this care for you can vary. When you come to Sonora to partake in this program, you will work closely with expertly trained and compassionate psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who will put your health and wellness above all else. Each ECT treatment lasts approximately one minute, though we will likely ask you to rest in one of our recovery rooms for a short while so that we can make sure that you feel stable enough before leaving our center. We will also provide you with something to drink and a light snack before you return to work or your home.

It is also important to know that ECT treatments are best complemented by other therapeutic services (and sometimes certain medications) to ensure that you experience the most favorable results possible. ECT is not meant to be a cure-all, so when this kind of care is part of a medication regimen (when necessary) and individual and/or group therapy sessions, reprieve from the distress of the mental illness symptoms can be experienced. In fact, studies show that 70 to 80 percent of people who receive ECT treatments enjoy a drastic improvement in their mental health after receiving six to 12 sessions.

Our ECT program is an option for care that is designed to minimize the symptoms of complex mental health conditions, including:

• Catatonia
• Extreme mania
• Parkinson’s disease
• Psychotic depression (with delusions and/or hallucinations)
• Schizophrenia
• Severe depression

When ECT is incorporated into your comprehensive and personalized plan of care, you will likely come to experience the relief you need to function in a healthy manner. Additionally, you will also be able to focus on the other aspects of your healing journey that require your attention. This can allow you to develop the skills you need to manage your mental illness in a beneficial way.

In sum, if you have experienced undesirable effects from taking certain psychotropic medications, have not responded well to other types of treatment, or have exhausted other forms of care to treat your mental health concerns, Sonora’s ECT program may hold the key to a healthier future. Call our helpful admissions team today to learn more about electroconvulsive therapy, our intake process, and the many ways that this invaluable treatment option can change your life for the better. Our treatment center gladly accepts a variety of insurance providers and provides many self-pay options.

We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you as you realize a life that’s no longer compromised by complex mental health concerns.

• Is ECT Making a Comeback? (60 Minutes – Anderson Cooper)
• Surprising benefits of ECT (BBC)
• ECT Treatment Resource (Consumer & Family Information)