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Sutter Center for Psychiatry Interventional Psychiatry

For individuals who have not responded well to medication or talk therapy, brain stimulation techniques may be an option if you or a loved one have psychiatric issues that haven’t improved. This technique uses electrical or magnetic stimulation to affect brain circuitry and ease symptoms of severe depression, bipolar disorder, mania and more.

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For Referrals and Appointments, Call (916) 386-3645

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911 immediately.

Interventional Psychiatry

Interventional psychiatry is a mental health specialty that uses electrical or magnetic stimulation, as well as some drug treatments, to alter brain circuitry and subsequently ease the symptoms of long-term depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.

You may be a candidate for interventional psychiatry if medication and talk therapy have not helped you.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that passes a small electric current through your brain to treat depression and other debilitating behavioral health illnesses. In many cases, ECT can significantly reduce or even reverse symptoms such as severe depression, suicidal thoughts, mania and catatonia.

You may be a candidate for ECT if medication or other treatments have not worked. ECT is done in a hospital setting while you are under general anesthesia. Patients typically receive treatments that are initially a few times per week and then space out to every week for approximately six to 12 weeks.

ECT itself takes about five to 10 minutes, with added time for preparation and recovery. For your first treatment(s), you may be admitted to the hospital, with subsequent treatments as an outpatient.

Preparing for ECT

  • Before ECT, you receive medicine to relax you (muscle relaxant). You also receive a short-acting anesthetic to minimize any pain.
  • The medical team places electrodes on your scalp to monitor your brain activity and deliver the electric current.

Side Effects

Risks and side effects may include confusion, memory loss, physical side effects and medical complications. These risks will vary by patient. Discuss your ECT treatment plan and its potential risks and side effects with your doctor.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood. These pulsed magnetic fields may have a positive effect on the brain's neurotransmitters levels. TMS may provide an alternative treatment option for those who have not benefited from the use of antidepressant medication.

TMS is an outpatient procedure done in your psychiatrist’s office, and does not require sedation or surgery. You remain awake and alert during treatment, which lasts about 20 to 40 minutes. TMS consists of at least five treatments a week during a four to six-week period.

To make an appointment for Sutter Center for Psychiatry’s services or for more information, please call (916) 386-3645.

Health and Wellness

Understanding Depression

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Depression Symptoms by Age Group

Learn how the signs of depression and triggers for the disease differ in children, teens, adults and seniors.

Antidepressants

Help for Clinical Depression

Depression is a complex disease. Learn how to treat depression with talk therapy, antidepressants and more.

Patient Stories

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – A Way Back

After years of medication for his depression, James turned to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for a way to start feeling better.

Electroconvulsive Therapy – Looking Past the Stigma

Alexis lived with treatment-resistant depression for years until she heard about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

View All Stories

Mental Health Research

Sutter Health Mental Health Research
About 26 percent of Americans each year suffer from a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anorexia. Our mental health affects our family, our job, how well we live and how soon we die. It’s important to find effective treatments and ways to prevent the damage from mental illness.

Sutter Health Mental Health Research Sutter Health Mental Health Research

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Sutter Center for Psychiatry

Sutter Center for Psychiatry

7700 Folsom Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95826

(916) 386-3000

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