Center for Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders
BCH's highly skilled psychiatrists treat adults suffering from complicated mental illnesses such as treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Treatments offered at this Center include:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – Beginning Fall 2023:A noninvasive treatment that involves using a magnetic coil to influence the brain’s natural electrical activity to improve symptoms of major depression.
- Ketamine: Beginning Fall 2023
- Guerra Fisher Institute & Boulder Electroconvulsive Therapy
Providers at the Center for Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders conduct exhaustive patient evaluations, which involve:
- Consulting with patients and their families
- Reviewing prior treatment efforts
- Arranging for consultations from other medical disciplines
From this thorough evaluation, we create a treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, alternative therapies and, when indicated, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Collectively, our psychiatrists have nearly five decades of experience and have performed more than 60,000 ECT treatments, making them the most experienced ECT practitioners in the Mountain States region. We also provide referrals for Ketamine Infusion Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Guerra Fisher Institute & Boulder Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is most used to treat severe depression and is often the safest, fastest and most effective therapy available for that illness. ECT is also sometimes used to treat patients with manic illness or schizophrenia. This treatment is available as an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Studies indicate that 80 to 90 percent of depressed individuals who receive ECT treatment respond favorably, making ECT the most effective treatment for all forms of depression. ECT is believed to correct biochemical abnormalities that underlie severe depressive illness. The techniques for administering ECT have improved considerably over the past 25 years.
Before ECT begins, a patient’s medical condition is carefully assessed with a complete medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. The number of treatment sessions needed to successfully treat severe depression ranges from four to 20. The treatments are usually given three times per week -- Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
ECT is performed under general anesthesia, meaning patients are in a sleep-like state and unaware the procedure is taking place. During the procedure, electrical currents are quickly passed through the brain to induce a brief seizure. This causes changes in the brain’s chemistry, which has beneficial mood effects.
Psychiatrists at this Institute include:
Breaking the ECT Myths
Unfortunately, because of the way it has been portrayed in movies and TV shows, some people have the wrong impression of ECT. As a result, the therapy isn’t helping as many people as it could. Such misconceptions are based on early ECT treatment, which began more than 80 years ago. In the early days, when it was known as “electroshock therapy,” treatment could be very painful and cause serious side effects. Today, ECT is much safer. It’s now delivered in a controlled setting, with patients surrounded by a team of specialized psychiatrists, anesthesiologists and registered nurses.
Why Choose BCH for ECT?
At BCH, ECT services are provided by the Guerra Fisher Institute and offer:
- The most experienced practitioners in the Mountain States region: Collectively, our psychiatrists have nearly five decades of ECT experience and have performed more than 60,000 treatments.
- Seasoned ECT nurses: Our team of registered nurses have subspecialty training in ECT and an average of over 10 years of experience.
- A commitment to collaborating with referring clinicians: Our psychiatrists work closely and constantly communicate with patients’ referring clinicians, striving for seamless integration of care.
- A leading health care system: Located on the Foothills Medical Campus, our program offers access to the full resources of Foothills Hospital. And, it’s the only program in Boulder County operated by a nonprofit health system.
To schedule an appointment at the Guerra Fisher Institute, call 303-415-8611.