What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
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Discovery Health answered:What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), formerly known as shock therapy, may be one of the most misunderstood therapies available to treat severe depression. This kind of therapy is sometimes use when psychotherapy and medication is not effective.Generally, it is used with patients who experience treatment-resistant depression, patients who suffer from depression and mania, or suicidal patients.
ECT has improved since the 1940s and 1950s when it became controversial based on stories of its misuse in the media.
During ECT treatment, a patient receives a muscle relaxant and anesthesia. Electrodes then are affixed at specific placements on the head. The electrodes deliver electrical impulses of about 30 seconds, causing a seizure within the brain. The treatment generally is given three times per week for several sessions.
Helpful? 3 people found this helpfulWhat is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), formerly known as shock therapy, may be one of the most misunderstood therapies available to treat severe depression. This kind of therapy is sometimes use when psychotherapy... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is a treatment designed to ease severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some other mental illnesses. For many patients, this therapy gives significant relief.
In ECT, an electrical energy device sends electric pulses to the brain. This causes a brief seizure in the brain (a period of rapid nerve impulses) that lasts about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. During ECT treatments, you will receive general anesthesia -- medication that causes you to sleep through the treatment and feel no sensation. Medication is also used to prevent or suppress the muscle movements that otherwise come with seizures.
While ECT doesn't work for everyone, research shows it is usually more effective than other treatment methods for severe depression, with fewer side effects overall. Of course, as with any medical treatment or procedure, ECT also has side effects and risks.ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is a treatment designed to ease severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some other mental illnesses. For many patients, this therapy gives significant relief.In ECT, an electrical energy device sends electric pulses... More -
Healthwise answered:Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat severe depression. It may be used in people with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts or when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines have not worked. It is also used for other psychiatric and neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Before ECT, you are given anesthesia to put you in a sleepy state and you are given medicines to relax your muscles. Then an electrical current is briefly sent to the brain through electrodes placed on the temples or elsewhere on the head, depending on the condition and type of ETC. The electrical stimulation, which lasts up to 8 seconds, produces a short seizure. Because of anesthesia, the seizure activity related to ECT does not cause the body to convulse.
It is not known exactly how this brain stimulation helps treat depression. ECT probably works by altering brain chemicals (similarly to medicines), including neurotransmitters like serotonin, natural pain relievers called endorphins and catecholamines such as adrenalin.
ECT treatments are usually done 2 to 3 times a week for 2 to 3 weeks. Maintenance treatments may be done one time each week, tapering down to one time each month. They may continue for several months to a year, to reduce the risk of relapse. ECT is usually given in combination with medicine, psychotherapy, family therapy and behavioral therapy.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat severe depression. It may be used in people with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts or when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines... More -
UCLA Health answered:Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a controversial past, but for more than 50 years, it has been both a safe and highly effective treatment for severe depression and certain other conditions. ECT affects brain chemistry associated with depression by applying a small amount of electrical energy to the brain to induce a brief seizure -- without associated body convulsions.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a controversial past, but for more than 50 years, it has been both a safe and highly effective treatment for severe depression and certain other conditions. ECT affects brain chemistry associated with... More
