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Warning-sign checks

Electroconvulsive therapy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    If you may harm yourself or someone else, or cannot keep yourself safe, contact emergency services or a local mental health crisis service immediately.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical help for chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, a seizure after leaving the facility, repeated seizures, new weakness on one side, or severe or worsening confusion.

The article also says

Contact the ECT team if headache, nausea, tiredness, or confusion is not improving; memory problems interfere with daily life; or you develop ongoing dental or muscle pain.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Electroconvulsive therapy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.