Electroconvulsive Therapy
What is Electrconvulsive therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective medical procedure used to treat certain severe mental health conditions, including clinical depression, mania and psychosis.
ECT involves passing a brief, carefully controlled electrical current through the brain to induce a short seizure. ECT is usually conducted under general anaesthesia and with muscle relaxants to minimise discomfort.
ECT is generally used when other forms of treatment, including medication and psychotherapy, have failed. ECT can also be the first treatment of choice in life-threatening situations, such as potential suicide in the context of severe depression, because of its rapid results.
Learn more
The facts about
Electroconvulsive Therapy.
The ECT team at Wesley Hospitals shares their knowledge about ECT and answers some commonly asked questions.
The ECT Clinic
If you’re considering ECT, the first step is for our clinicians to conduct a thorough assessment of your overall physical and mental health. This helps us determine whether ECT is the right treatment for you.
If you decide to proceed, you’ll spend a period of time as an inpatient so we can administer ECT and monitor your progress.
For your privacy and comfort, our clinic features dedicated ECT waiting, treatment and recovery rooms.
Our team
Dr Brett Simpson
MBBS, FRANZCP
Dr Brett Simpson is Director of ECT at Wesley Hospital in Kogarah. He is an experienced psychiatrist with extensive clinical experience in the provision of ECT, and also leads the ECT service at St George Public Hospital. He is a member of the NSW Health ECT Working Party responsible for producing state-wide ECT guidelines, and is also a member of the RANZCP Section of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Neurostimulation Committee. Dr Simpson is a conjoint lecturer at the University of New South Wales and regularly collaborates in ECT research at Wesley Hospital. He has a strong interest in ECT teaching and training, and in the maintenance of high quality ECT services.
He is supported in ECT treatment by Dr Jenny McGoldrick.
