Electro Convulsive Therapy

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Electro-Convulsive Therapy
ECT (Electro-convulsive Therapy) is a procedure in which a brief application of electricity is used to produce a generalized seizure. Once a commonly used - and controversial - treatment for a variety of mental problems, ECT still bears a stigma despite advances which have made it far safer and more effective. It is not known how or why ECT works or what the electrically stimulated seizure does to the brain. In the U.S. during the 1940's and 50's, the treatment was administered mostly to people with severe mental illnesses.
During the last few decades, researchers have been attempting to identify the effectiveness of ECT, to learn how and why it works, to understand its risks and adverse side effects, and to determine the best treatment technique. Today, ECT is administered to an estimated 100,000 people a year, primarily in general hospital psychiatric units and in psychiatric hospitals. It is generally used in treating patients with severe depression who cannot wait for antidepressant medication to take effect. It is also used for acute mania, and certain schizophrenic syndromes. Used to treat depression Modern ECT is used primarily in the treatment of severe depression, and psychiatrists say it has proved the most effective treatment in many cases. It is also used in some cases of schizophrenia and mania. But mental health campaigners say that, although it may work in the short term, it is unclear what its long-term effects are. Many experts say it is often used against people's will and it wants to see a ban on this, but psychiatrists say that would mean about 20% of patients who now receive the treatment would not get it despite being most in need. They argue that some people are incapable of giving or denying consent.
ECT treatment is generally administered in the morning, before breakfast and can be on an in-patient or out- patient basis. Prior to the actual treatment, the patient is given ...