Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment for severe mental illness in which a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity is introduced into the brain. This electrical stimulation, used in conjunction with anesthesia and muscle relaxant medications, produces a mild generalized seizure or convulsion.
What is the success rate of ECT therapy?
Feb 07, 2022 · Introduction. In a patient under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses an electric current to create a generalized cerebral seizure. Although it is primarily utilized to treat patients with severe depression, patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and …
What are the contraindications of ECT therapy?
Mar 04, 2022 · Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure where electric currents are directed to the brain. ECT treatments can provide a fast and considerable reduction of symptoms for people with severe depression as well as other mental health conditions, which can include: bipolar disorder; schizophrenia; catatonia; dementia
What are the pros and cons of ECT?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat severe depression. It may be used in people who have symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. It's also used when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines have not worked. And it can be used for other psychiatric and neurological ...
What is the success rate of ECT?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a technique that has been used since 1938 to treat several psychiatric disorders as a replacement for chemically induced seizures. Despite its history of stigma, controversy and low accessibility, ECT is found to be beneficial and efficient in severe cases of depression where medication fails to bring results.
What is ECT therapy?
Treatment Overview. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat severe depression. It may be used in people who have symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. It's also used when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines have not worked. And it can be used for other psychiatric and ...
Why is ECT used?
Why It Is Done. ECT is used for severe depression and other psychiatric or neurological conditions (such as bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or schizophrenia). Sometimes ECT is used for older adults who are taking multiple medicines for other illnesses and who are not able to take additional medicines for depression.
How long does an electrical stimulation last?
The electrical stimulation, which lasts up to 8 seconds, produces a short seizure.
Can ECT cause seizures?
In rare cases, ECT may increase blood pressure, cause changes in heart rhythm, or produce seizures that last longer than expected. These physiologic changes typically occur right away after the ECT treatment and can be managed by the health professionals doing the procedure, if needed.
Can you remember ECT?
Because of the effects of anesthesia, you may not remember the procedure. As with medicine, there can be side effects from ECT. After you wake up, you may have some confusion, nausea, a headache, or jaw pain. These effects may last a few hours. You may also notice some short-term memory loss.