HOW WILL I FEEL IMMEDIATELY AFTER ECT?

When you wake up, you will be back in the waiting area or in a recovery area and once you are wide awake you will be offered a cup of tea. You may have no side effects at all, but you may have a headache, or feel confused for a while.

All hospitals which use ECT should have a suite of rooms specifically for that purpose, including special waiting and recovery rooms. An anaesthetist and special ECT nurse should be present during treatment sessions. The ECT treatment room should be equipped with full resuscitation facilities. The equipment used should meet recommended guidelines for ECT machines.

As with any use of general anaesthetic, there is a very small risk involved. The presence of an anaesthetist and resuscitation equipment will minimise this risk.