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Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Johannesburg
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Vernon Naidoo, 05 May 2018
Natascia is a brilliant psychologist and I would recommend her wholeheartedly. She helped me through a rough period in my life. She is very open and understanding. Very pleasant and goes above and beyond for all her patients.
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What you need to know about Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Johannesburg
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that involves passing a carefully controlled small electric current through the brain to trigger a brief seizure. It causes changes in brain chemistry and aims to relieve severe psychiatric conditions.
ECT is usually performed when other treatments are unsuccessful. It is usually used to treat:
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Treatment-resistant depression, which is a severe depression that does not improve with medications or other types of treatments.
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Severe depression, especially when accompanied by psychosis (detachment from reality), a refusal to eat, or a desire to commit suicide.
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Severe mania that can occur as parts of bipolar disorder, such as a state of intense euphoria, hyperactivity, agitation, impaired decision-making, and psychosis.
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Agitation and aggression in individuals with dementia.
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Catatonia, which is associated with schizophrenia, certain other psychiatric disorders, or medical illness.
Your doctor may also recommend ECT if you cannot tolerate medications or all other forms of therapy have not worked.
What is the cost of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Johannesburg?
When computing the final cost of the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Johannesburg, it's crucial to consider the multiple elements that factor into the total fee. The cost isn't exclusively limited to the procedure's price but involves the count of sessions needed, the fee for the anesthesiologist, costs for pre-surgery tests, charges for the facility, and the pricing for extra medicines to be used.
Getting a pricing quote from a preferred clinic is an ideal first step towards quantifying the cost, as they can give a more precise breakdown aligned to your personalized necessities and situations. While the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) might inflict substantial financial strain, it's important to evaluate the cost against the prospective advantages. Fast alleviation of severe symptoms, shortened hospital stays, and less use of health services owing to failed treatment trials, all contribute towards the overall cost-efficiency of this medical procedure.
What does the Procedure Involve?
At the beginning of an ECT, you will receive general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant to help prevent injury and minimize the seizure. Your doctor will place a blood pressure cuff around one of your ankles to stop the muscle relaxant medications from entering foot and entering the muscles there. This is done to enable your doctor to monitor seizure activity by watching for any movement on that foot. You may also be given oxygen through an oxygen mask and a mouth guard to help protect your tongue and teeth from injury. Then, your doctor will place electrode pads on your head. The electrode pads are connected to the ECT machine.
Once you are asleep, your muscles are relaxed, and the necessary equipment is in place, your doctor will press a button on the ECT machine to pass a small amount of electric current through the electrodes to your brain, which produces a seizure that lasts less than 60 seconds. Due to the anesthetic and muscle relaxant, you will not be aware of the seizure. The visible effects of the seizure will usually be limited to the movement of your foot if a blood pressure cuff is placed around your ankle.
Your doctor may use a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record the electrical activity in your brain. The beginning of a seizure is signaled by sudden, increased activity on the EEG and a leveling off shows that the seizure is over.
How Long Should I Stay in Johannesburg?
ECT can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital on the same day. However, the length of your stay in Johannesburg while undergoing a Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is largely determined by your personal health state and the number of treatment sessions proposed by your healthcare provider. Treatment typically involves two to three sessions per week, accumulating to six to twelve sessions in total.
Commonly, you would be required to reside in the Johannesburg throughout the course of the treatment. The total duration not only factors in the treatment sessions but also the requisite rest time post-treatment, typically a couple of hours for the anesthesia effects to dissipate after each session. Moreover, you might need to consider post-treatment consultations for tracking progress and if required, revisions to the treatment plan. Because of these factors, you might want to plan on staying in the Johannesburg for several weeks. Yet, it's highly advised to confer about the specific timeframe and aftercare process with your healthcare professional to ensure a comprehensive understanding and effective treatment path.
What's the Recovery Time?
Most people can return to their normal daily activities just a few hours after ECT. However, some people may be asked to avoid making important decisions, going back to work, or driving for one to two weeks following the last ECT treatment in a series. The recovery time until you can resume your activities generally depends on when confusion and memory loss after the procedure are resolved, so make sure to talk to your doctor about your specific recovery timeline.
What About Aftercare?
Here are a few aftercare instructions you need to consider:
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Your doctor may give you antidepressants to help decrease or prevent symptoms of depression. They may also give you medicine to help with headaches that you may experience after each treatment. Always make sure to take the medicine as directed.
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There is a high chance that you will fall after ECT treatments. Ask someone to help you stand up or walk and keep an eye on you during your recovery period.
What's the Success Rate?
Research has shown that ECT is a highly effective therapy for several mental health conditions. Around 80% of patients with uncomplicated but severe depression experience substantial improvement after their treatments.
ECT is a highly misunderstood procedure because, in the past, the side effects can be severe. However, while ECT does have some side effects and risks, it is much safer today. The risks and side effects include confusion, memory loss, adverse reaction to anesthesia, increased blood pressure and heart rate, headache, nausea, and muscle ache.
Are there Alternatives to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Below are some of the alternatives to ECT:
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) involves using rapidly alternating magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas in the brain. It is often used to treat depression.
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) was initially developed to treat seizure disorders, but it can also be used to treat depression. In this procedure, an electric pulse generator is implanted under your skin to stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck.
What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure
Prior to the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), your medical professional will provide you with comprehensive instructions relating to preparations, such as dietary guidelines and adjustments to your medication. A detailed psychiatric and medical examination will also be performed, encompassing various tests such as blood work, an ECG, and potentially a full physical evaluation, to confirm your physical health and suitability for the procedure. Furthermore, having a trustworthy support network is key to accompany you to the medical facility, offer emotional comfort, and assist in managing your aftercare.
Post the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), your condition will be closely observed in a recuperation area. You might feel befuddled, lose your sense of direction, or struggle with memory loss immediately, however, these reactions are short-term and usually disappear within an hour. Once your condition stabilizes, you can safely return home under the guardianship of another person as your cognitive and motor abilities might be momentarily affected.
Before ECT, you may have a certain mental health condition and experience severe symptoms that are thought to be life-threatening or they do not improve after other treatment options. After the treatment, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms, which may take around six weeks.
What are Potential Risks of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Generally, the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is considered safe, but as with all medical procedures, it has potential hazards. Typical side effects are headaches, muscular discomfort, queasiness, and upchucking, which usually diminish swiftly with rest and medication. More severe hazards include possible health complications like cardiac issues, predominantly in individuals with existing heart diseases. Moreover, some patients may exhibit temporary disorientation right after the procedure, but this usually resolves within an hour. They might also have difficulties recollecting events that happened shortly before the treatment or in the weeks or months leading up to the treatment.
Risks associated with the procedure are usually reduced through a comprehensive pre-procedure assessment, encompassing a detailed medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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