Cheyenne, WY – March 19, 2024 – Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is now offering Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), becoming the sole hospital in Wyoming to provide this treatment option for individuals grappling with severe mental health conditions.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has revealed its promise as a vital treatment for individuals grappling with mental health conditions. Contrary to its historical portrayal in pop culture, today’s ECT is a controlled and humane procedure that holds significant potential for those who have not found relief through traditional medications and therapies.

Administered under the supervision of a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse, ECT involves the precise electrical stimulation of the brain under anesthesia. Research indicates that ECT induces a controlled seizure, manifesting anticonvulsant effects that may reset the brain’s GABA mechanisms, play a crucial role in mood regulation, radiate antipsychotic effects, and influence neural plasticity.

Temporary side effects of ECT may include headaches, fatigue, and memory disturbances, which are common but typically transient.

Dr. Jasper Chen, a psychiatrist at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, shared that ECT has transformed the lives of patients in ways he has not seen with oral medications or long-acting injections alone. He went on to say, “It has helped reduce relapse and rehospitalization rates, as well as restore individuals to their highest levels of optimal functionality in the least amount of time”.

The evolution of ECT stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of healing and understanding within psychiatry, offering hope and an alternative route to recovery for individuals facing mental health challenges.