Butler Hospital operates a large 4-room suite dedicated to ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy). The primary indication for ECT is severe depression, complicated by an inadequate response to medications. Patients are referred for ECT due to an inability to tolerate medications or due to a favorable response to ECT in the past.

Treatments are provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. For outpatient treatment, a family member, friend or health care worker must be available to help with transportation following the treatments. ECT is provided for both acute illnesses and on a maintenance schedule to prevent relapse. Suitability for ECT is evaluation by way of a consultation in conjunction with internal medicine and anesthesiology assessments.