For some people with severe or hard-to-treat depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the best treatment. This treatment, sometimes referred to as "electroshock therapy," is often misunderstood and incorrectly portrayed by popular media as a harsh, cruel treatment.
How much does shock therapy for depression cost?
Jun 29, 2021 · Electroshock therapy, also known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is a treatment for severe major depression, bipolar depression, and other mental health conditions.
What is the Best Shock Treatment?
Dec 02, 2021 · On the other hand, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an increasingly popular noninvasive option for those suffering from severe and/or treatment-resistant depression. What is shock therapy? Let’s take a look. ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY WAS ONCE REFERRED TO AS ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY. Electroconvulsive therapy (archaically referred to as …
What is the best treatment for shock?
A treatment for severe depression in which an electric shock is delivered to the patient, resulting in a seizure of the body and the release of a flood of neurotransmitters in the brain, is called The Tribal Flood Network (TFN) is one of the most widely deployed viruses. A SYN flood is software that self-replicates.
What is the treatment for electric shock?
A treatment for severe depression in which an electric shock is delivered to the patient, resulting in a seizure of the body and the release of a flood of neurotransmitters in the brain, is called ________. a.) prefrontal lobotomy. b.) electroconvulsive therapy. c.) trephining.
What is electric shock treatment for depression?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment most commonly used in patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments. ECT involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.
Do they still give electric shock treatment?
But electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is still being used -- more in Europe than the United States -- and it may be the most effective short-term treatment for some patients with depressive symptoms, a newly published review in the journal The Lancet suggests.Mar 6, 2003
Which of these is an alternative to ECT for treatment of severe depression?
If nothing else has helped, including ECT, and you are still severely depressed, you may be offered neurosurgery for mental disorder (NMD), deep brain stimulation (DBS) or vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
How is ECT administered?
How is it administered? ECT treatment is generally administered in the morning, before breakfast. Prior to the actual treatment, the patient is given general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Electrodes are then attached to the patients scalp and an electric current is applied which causes a brief convulsion.
Why are mental patients given electric shock?
The basic idea remains the same: The treatment aims to ease mental illness symptoms by stimulating specific areas of the brain with mild electrical currents and “rebooting” brain activity. Today, it's called electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, and it helps tens of thousands of patients each year.Jul 12, 2016
What is TMS therapy vs ECT?
Unlike ECT, however, TMS does not involve the application of direct electrical currents to a patient's head. TMS is designed to activate the brain's healing process more gently by magnetically stimulating a very discrete part of the brain while avoiding global seizures and cognitive dysfunction.Apr 21, 2021
Whats better ECT or TMS?
Success rates / patient responses – One study found that ECT was slightly more effective than TMS but that patients prefered TMS over ECT. Side effects – ECT patients report more significant side effects. TMS patients report minor and short-lived side effects.Aug 17, 2021
What is shock therapy called now?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.Oct 12, 2018
How does electroconvulsive therapy work?
How Electroconvulsive Therapy Works. With ECT, an electrical stimulation is delivered to the brain and causes a seizure. For reasons that doctors don't completely understand, this seizure helps relieve the symptoms of depression. ECT does not cause any structural damage to the brain.
What is the best treatment for depression?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Depression. For some people with severe or hard-to-treat depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the best treatment. This treatment, sometimes referred to as "electroshock therapy," is often misunderstood and incorrectly portrayed by popular media as a harsh, cruel treatment.
Does ECT work for depression?
Studies have shown that ECT works for many people who have treatment-resistant depression. One study of 39 people with treatment-resistant depression compared the effects of an antidepressant with ECT. After two to three weeks, 71% of people who received ECT had a positive response to treatment.
What are the risks of ECT?
Risks and Side Effects of ECT. The most common side effect of ECT is short-term memory loss. However, some people report that they have long-term memory loss, as well. ECT also causes a brief rise in heart rate and blood pressure during the procedure, so it may not be recommended in people with unstable heart problems.
Does ECT cause brain damage?
ECT does not cause any structural damage to the brain. The procedure itself typically requires a stay in the hospital, although more and more it is being performed on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, you will be put to sleep under general anesthesia. You won't feel anything.
Is ECT a life saving medication?
It can be lifesaving. ECT works quickly, which is why it's often the treatment of choice for people with highly severe, psychotic, or suicidal depression. For these people, waiting for antidepressants or therapy to work might be dangerous. However, the drawback is that the effects of ECT usually don't last, and further treatments will likely be ...
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY WAS ONCE REFERRED TO AS ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY
Electroconvulsive therapy (archaically referred to as electroshock therapy or electric shock therapy) is a psychiatric treatment notorious for its long list of severe potential side effects. Despite its murky history, more than 100,000 individuals undergo ECT in the United States annually.
ELECTRIC SHOCK TREATMENT HAS SERIOUS POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Typically, electroshock therapy is a last-ditch effort used when all other treatment options have failed to offer symptom relief to those suffering from severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other serious and debilitating mental illnesses.
TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION IS A MILD AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION
If medications haven’t adequately treated your depression symptoms, and you are considering ECT, it’s important to know that there are other options. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an increasingly popular noninvasive treatment for individuals suffering from severe and treatment-resistant depression.
What is shock therapy?
"Shock therapy" was so-called, as an electric shock is used to induce a controlled seizure intended as a treatment , primarily for mood disorders, although other conditions may be treated as well. Shock therapy is now known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT.
What is the name of the drug that is used to treat seizures?
A paralyzing agent called succinylcholine is then administered to prevent the seizure from spreading to your body. The electrodes are then applied to your head with conducting jelly and a brief shock (less than 2 seconds) is administered.
Does shock help with depression?
Shock treatment for depression often produces a dramatic improvement in symptoms, especially in elderly individuals, sometimes during the first week of treatment. While it is estimated many of these patients will experience a future return of depression symptoms, the prognosis for each episode of depression is good. Mania also often responds well to shock treatment. The picture is not as bright for schizophrenia, which is more difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.
Can ECT cause memory loss?
You will likely experience short-term memory loss around the time of the procedure. With multiple treatments, this may increase. Adverse cognitive effects tend to be the most concerning factors around ECT and tend to affect the frequency and duration of treatments and whether ECT is offered at all. Your vital signs will be monitored closely ...
Is electroconvulsive therapy effective?
Electroconvulsive therapy has also shown effectiveness in treating other disorders such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, severe, adverse reaction to antipsychotic medication). Shock treatment for depression and other disorders is indicated when the patient needs rapid improvement because the patient is:
What is ECT used for?
ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. Treatment-resistant depression, a severe depression that doesn't improve with medications or other treatments. Severe mania, a state of intense euphoria, agitation or hyperactivity ...
What is ECT in medical terms?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
What are the signs of mania?
Other signs of mania include impaired decision-making, impulsive or risky behavior, substance abuse, and psychosis. Catatonia, characterized by lack of movement, fast or strange movements, lack of speech, and other symptoms. It's associated with schizophrenia and certain other psychiatric disorders.
How long does confusion last?
Rarely, confusion may last several days or longer. Confusion is generally more noticeable in older adults. Memory loss. Some people have trouble remembering events that occurred right before treatment or in the weeks or months before treatment or, rarely, from previous years.
How long does an ECT last?
This causes a small amount of electric current to pass through the electrodes to your brain, producing a seizure that usually lasts less than 60 seconds.
Can anesthesia cause heart problems?
These generally can be treated with medications. Medical complications. As with any type of medical procedure, especially one that involves anesthesia, there are risks of medical complications. During ECT, heart rate and blood pressure increase, and in rare cases, that can lead to serious heart problems.
How often do you get ECT?
In the United States, ECT treatments are generally given two to three times weekly for three to four weeks — for a total of six to 12 treatments. Some doctors use a newer technique called right unilateral ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy that's done daily on weekdays.
What is electric shock therapy?
Electric shock therapy, better known as electroconvulsive therapy, is used to treat myriad mental illnesses, including severe depression, mania, and schizophrenia . It is not an appropriate choice for individuals living with mental illnesses treated effectively with talk therapy or medication.
What are the side effects of electric shock?
Physical Issues:Directly after electric shock therapy, some patients may experience physical side effects, such as nausea, headaches, jaw tension, or muscle pains. These side effects are typically short-lived and can be treated with over-the-counter medications.
Is electric shock safe?
Like almost all medical procedures, electric shock therapy does have a few notable side effects, although it is largely considered by medical professionals to be safe for patients. Additionally, unlike the past electric shock therapy, today's treatments are much safer and more comfortable for patients.
Terminology
- For some people with severe or hard-to-treat depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the best treatment. This treatment, sometimes referred to as \"electroshock therapy,\" is often misunderstood and incorrectly portrayed by popular media as a harsh, cruel treatment. In reality, it is a painless medical procedure performed under general anest...
Mechanism
Preparation
Treatment
Results
- The brain is still not well understood, nor is the reason for the treatment effects ECT (shock) therapy has on some individuals. It is known that ECT affects hormones, neuropeptides, neurotrophic factors, and neurotransmitters in the brain. All of this may come together to explain how ECT works in treatment.
Uses
- A full physical is generally needed before shock therapy. Because general anesthesia will be administered, one should not eat or drink 8-12 hours before the shock treatment. This helps to prevent any vomiting during the procedure. Other exams like an electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be given before ECT to ensure the procedure is safe and appropriate.
Risks
- Shock therapy is performed in a hospital, sometimes in an area specifically set aside for this treatment. An intravenous (IV) is inserted to provide anesthetic medication. Vital signs are taken initially and continuously throughout the shock therapy treatment. An anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and after you are asleep, places a tube in your throat to help you breathe…
Prognosis
- When you awake from the anesthesia, you may be confused and tired. You will likely experience short-term memory loss around the time of the procedure. With multiple treatments, this may increase. Adverse cognitive effects tend to be the most concerning factors around ECT and tend to affect the frequency and duration of treatments and whether ECT is offered at all. Your vital si…
Overview
- It is most common to see shock therapy used in severe cases of depression. Shock therapy is also performed to improve the condition of the following disorders:1
Why It's Done
- The complications associated with ECT / shock therapy are often related to electrode placement with bilateral placement (an electrode by each temple) typically showing greater unwanted cognitive effects than unilateral placement (one electrode at the temple and the other on the forehead). Risks of shock therapy include slow heart beat (bradycardia) and rapid heartbeat (tac…
Risks
- Shock treatment for depression often produces a dramatic improvement in symptoms, especially in elderly individuals, sometimes during the first week of treatment. While it is estimated many of these patients will experience a future return of depression symptoms, the prognosis for each episode of depression is good. Mania also often responds well to shock treatment. The picture i…
How You Prepare
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. ECT often works when other treatments are unsuccessful and when the full course o…
What You Can Expect
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: 1. Severe depression,particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. 2. Treatment-resistant depression,a severe depression that ...
Results
- Although ECT is generally safe, risks and side effects may include: 1. Confusion.Immediately after treatment, you may experience confusion, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. You may not know where you are or why you're there. Rarely, confusion may last several days or longer. Confusion is generally more noticeable in older adults. 2. Memory loss.Some people hav…