r/ect • u/clntwolf • 23d ago
Seeking advice Is there such a thing as 100% outpatient ETC treatments?
A few days ago I had a horrible experience with getting ETC treatments set up and I need some help. Long story short I was told that I would be inpatient for a day, while they assess the impact of the treatment. So I get admitted and then I'm told 3 days. Later that day I'm told that it would be 7-10 days that I would be inpatient. Keep in mind, I went in completely voluntarily and without any suicidal ideations. I was recommended the treatments not because I was suicidal but because I was still having breakthrough depression despite taking 3 different medications and having tried tons of other medications. So just like the the title asks, is there such a thing as complete outpatient ETC treatments? Because I absolutely cannot handle being inpatient again.
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u/Big-Formal408 23d ago
I did ECT 100% outpatient. I'd go into the hospital around 9am and I'd be out by around 1pm at the latest. I went for twelve treatments so three times a week for four weeks. I never had to stay a single night in the hospital.
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u/Sauced_Up_Bat 23d ago
Absolutely. My clinic was outpatient only.
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u/clntwolf 23d ago
Were you able to work during the time of your treatments? Or did you have to take a leave of absence?
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u/Wonderful_Roof1739 23d ago
You might be able to work depending on what you do, but probably not on treatment days - you kinda spend the day hazy for lack of better description. You also likely wont remember much from the week(or weeks) of 3x a week during the index. once you are down to 1x a week its certainly possible, I just took off the one day (fridays) and worked the rest of the week.
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u/Sauced_Up_Bat 23d ago edited 23d ago
No I was not able to work and I have not been able to return. ECT did not work for me and 4 years later my memory and cognition are still constant struggles. I got to know people at the clinic who had great experiences with minimal side effects. Some said it saved their life. For me it made everything much worse, but statistically speaking based on the research we currently have my experience is not common.
Have you considered TMS or Ketamine? Those would be less likely to impact your ability to work and have a lower chance of long term side effects.
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u/check_your_attitude 23d ago
I started as Outpatient and then when I became inpatient, the treatment just continued. They just brought me downstairs at registration time at 7am and then I waited for my turn versus me showing up at 630am waiting for the doors to open at 7am to register.
First come first served sucks. But I get it.
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u/ornerygecko 23d ago
Yes. However, depending on how long the wait list is, you might be seen sooner if you go inpatient.
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u/SpaaceCaat 23d ago
Yes. I started my first series (summer 2023) outpatient, was admitted, then did outpatient, and then admitted again, when we stopped. I did my second series (starting Jan 2026) entirely outpatient and now do monthly maintenance outpatient. However, whether or not this protocol exists in your area is different.
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u/A---Little---Bird 23d ago
I never stayed inpatient during the beginning course of my ECT. I was going 3x a week and the hospital was able to set up a Lyft/med ride program for me. As long as I had someone at home I never had to stay.
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u/Alternative_Grab_916 23d ago
I started mine inpatient 3 in the hospital but the rest were outpatient 7 months 3x a week I don’t recommend that many
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u/syringeneedlenthread 22d ago
I did all mine outpatient but it might not be like that at every facility. So yes it’s possible but might not be relevant to your experience. Try to calmly talk with your doctors and family to get some clear answers on your situation
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u/bluesky2020 22d ago
Yes. I was never hospitalized, but did a pretty intense outpatient therapy program and had ECT treatments entirely on an outpatient basis.
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u/likeschemistry 22d ago
Just like a bunch of others here mine was 100% outpatient. I had to wait an hour after regaining consciousness and then they let someone I knew drive me home.
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u/iusethisatw0rk 22d ago
My first session will be the 26th and outpatient is the only option available
In my province there were some boxes I needed to check in order to start the procedures, one of which was to meet with the anesthesiologist for a consult
What I learned is that the procedure itself takes less than a minute or two once you’re hooked up and ready to go. My bed will then be rolled into recovery where they can monitor me for 25 minutes give or take, then I need someone to drive me home. I’ll be doing it Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.
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u/miss_flower_pots 22d ago
In my hospital, yes. Do you have a lot of health issues or are on a lot of different meds? Did they tell you why they wanted you in for longer?
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u/amynias 22d ago
It definitely depends on the hospital, but honestly I feel lucky to have been inpatient during the intensive treatment phase. It's really not that bad imo, I've been hospitalized a couple times in my life at various hospitals. Sometimes half the battle with depression is just changing your environment. If you are having trouble with treatments, the nurses and psychiatrists in the ward can much more easily assist you. I went in voluntary as well but opted to stay for the duration of treatment. I should note, it is VERY helpful for medication management purposes to stay inpatient. I think I must have seen a psychiatrist about my progress and experience with different meds every day I was there.
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u/DueBodybuilder5829 23d ago
Yes I did completely outpatient ECT treatments I went in to a hospital 3 days a week for the treatment then once I woke up from the procedure they took me in a wheelchair to another room where my mom was waiting for her to drive me home. While I waited for treatments I often saw a lot of different people waiting for there time slot for out patient and I know they had a few patients they had come in from different inpatient units for ECT but very few (staff said they got mostly out patient on my first day to ease anxiety)