Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment that uses a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while a person is under general anesthesia.

ECT is an established treatment for several serious mental health conditions. It may be considered when other treatments have not provided enough improvement or when a rapid response to treatment may be important

ECT may be considered for adults with certain serious mental health conditions.

At Waypoint, ECT may be used to treat conditions including:

• Major Depression Major Depression a complex mood disorder where an individual has a severe and persistent low or depressed mood, decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts.
• Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks.
• Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how people think, feel and behave. It may result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior.
• Schizoaffective Disorder Schizoaffective Disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania.
• catatonia catatonia a complex neuropsychiatric behavioral syndrome that is characterized by abnormal movements, immobility, abnormal behaviors, and withdrawal.
• Some perinatal mental health disorders
• Other conditions where ECT may be clinically appropriate

The decision to use ECT is based on a person’s symptoms, diagnosis, treatment history, overall health, potential benefits and risks, and preferences.

ECT is provided by a specialized medical team.

Before treatment, you receive general anesthesia. Once you are asleep, a brief electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain. This produces a controlled therapeutic seizure.

You are monitored throughout the procedure and recover from the anesthesia before leaving the treatment area.

Your treatment team will explain what to expect before treatment begins.

ECT may be considered when a serious mental health condition has not improved enough with other treatments or when a rapid response is important.

ECT can be particularly helpful in some situations where symptoms are severe or significantly affecting a person’s ability to function.

Your health care team will discuss whether ECT is appropriate for you.

Waypoint provides ECT at its Penetanguishene campus in Central Ontario.

500 Church Street
Penetanguishene, Ontario
L9M 1G3

The Neuromodulation service is located on the second floor of the Toanche Building.

ECT at Waypoint is available by referral from a health care provider.

A health care provider can submit a referral to the Neuromodulation team. The team reviews the referral and determines whether an assessment is appropriate.

If you or someone you support may benefit from ECT, speak with the person’s physician, nurse practitioner or psychiatrist.

If you think ECT may be an option for you or someone you support, talk with a physician, nurse practitioner or psychiatrist about a referral to Waypoint.