Nova Scotia Health Authority

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used when an individual does not respond to or cannot tolerate medication. It is used to treat: 

• Major depression (including agitated depression)
• Depressed/manic phases of bipolar disorder
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Catatonia

Treatment involves the administration of a small electrical current to the surface of the scalp (which is transmitted to the surface of the brain).