what is a shock treatment

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• Suicidal
• Self-injurious
• Refusing to eat or drink
• Refusing to take medication as prescribed
• A danger to themselves
• Psychotic
• Pregnant or otherwise can't take standard medications

What is the purpose of shock therapy?

Their observations suggest that ECT may have several effects, including:

• changing brain blood flow
• briefly altering the permeability of the blood-brain barrier
• modifying the electrical profile of the brain
• promoting the action of genes that play a role in certain brain cell growth
• stimulating the release of hormones
• stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin and dopamine

What are the side effects of shock therapy?

Remember, fear and pain can make shock worse by increasing the body’s demand for oxygen, so try to reassure the casualty and keep them calm if you can. Monitor their level of response. If they become unresponsive at any point, prepare to treat an unresponsive casualty .

What is the most important remember when treating for shock?

“The biggest drawback is, you don’t know who is going to respond and who isn’t.” Another potential drawback is cost. When providers use it off-label, outside the research setting, shock wave therapy protocols can cost from $3,000 to $6,000, according to Dr. Ramasamy.

How much does shock therapy cost?

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.

Where is shock therapy performed?

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.

How does shock therapy feel?

How Shock Therapy Feels. 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 ...

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.

How to know if you are recovering from shock?

Your vital signs will be monitored closely after the shock treatment to ensure proper recovery. You may feel head, muscle or back pain. Such discomfort tends to be relieved by mild medications. If any post-treatment effect is concerning you, you should talk to the treating physician immediately.

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:

Does mania respond to shock?

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. A small number of patients are placed on maintenance shock therapy.

What to do if you are in shock?

Do not move the person unless there is danger. Reassure the person. Do not give anything to eat or drink. 5. Follow Up. At the hospital, the person will be given oxygen and intravenous fluids. Blood test, urine tests, heart test and xrays and/or CT scans may be done. Other treatment will depend on the cause of shock.

How to protect yourself from a syringe?

4. Keep Person Warm and Comfortable 1 Loosen restrictive clothing. 2 Cover with a coat or blanket. 3 Keep the person still. Do not move the person unless there is danger. 4 Reassure the person. 5 Do not give anything to eat or drink.

What are the main treatments for shock?

Immobilization, anti-inflammatories such as steroids and surgery are the main treatments. Shock prevention includes learning ways to prevent heart disease, injuries, dehydration, and other causes of shock.

How is cardiogenic shock treated?

Cardiogenic shock is treated by identifying and treating the underlying cause. Hypovolemic shock is treated with fluids (saline) in minor cases, and blood transfusions in severe cases. Neurogenic shock is the most difficult to treat as spinal cord damage is often irreversible.

What are the different types of shock?

There are several types of shock: septic shock caused by bacteria, anaphylactic shock caused by hypersensitivity or allergic reaction, cardiogenic shock from heart damage, hypovolemic shock from blood or fluid loss, and neurogenic shock from spinal cord trauma. Treatment for shock depends on the cause.

Why is prompt treatment important?

Prompt treatment of medical shock is essential for the best outcome. Moreover, the outlook depends on the cause of the shock, the general health of the patient, and the promptness of treatment and recovery. Generally, hypovolemic shock and anaphylactic shock respond well to medical treatment if initiated early.

What is the treatment for septic shock?

Usually, IV fluids are administered in addition to medications that raise blood pressure. Septic shock is treated with antibiotics and fluids. Anaphylactic shock is treated with diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ), epinephrine (an "Epi-pen"), and steroid medications (solumedrol).

What causes anaphylactic shock?

Common causes of this are pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections ( cellulitis ), intra-abdominal infections (such as a ruptured appendix ), and meningitis . Anaphylactic shock is a type of severe hypersensitivity or allergic reaction. Causes include allergy to insect stings, medicines, or foods (nuts, berries, seafood), etc.

What tests are used to determine the cause of shock?

Tests (for example, X-rays, blood tests, EKGs) will determine the underlying cause of the shock and uncover the severity of the patient's illness. Septic shock is treated with prompt administration of antibiotics depending on the source and type of underlying infection.

Shock Therapy: Process, Preparation, Outcomes and more

Krystina is a Technical Writer with a background in healthcare. She has spent the last 10 years working for an internationally recognized medical facility where she found her passion for making complicated topics easier to understand.

The Electroconvulsive Therapy Process

An ECT treatment regimen will typically include sessions two to three days a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. The schedule works out to about one month of treatment, although the course may continue for longer.

How to Prepare for Your Treatment

ECT sessions generally do not require much preparation, though you will need to go over the specifics with your doctor. Your doctor may give you orders to follow based on other health conditions you have or medications you take.

Potential Outcomes of Shock Therapy

Most people who undergo ECT will see a noticeable change in their symptoms. Some people will notice an immediate improvement after one session. However, it is more common to not see or feel a significant difference in symptoms for several sessions.

Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used to treat major depressive disorde r, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. It is often considered when other treatments have not helped.

A Word From Verywell

If you are wondering if shock therapy might be a treatment option for you, discuss it with your psychiatrist. While ECT can provide lasting relief from the symptoms of MDD, bipolar disorder, and similar conditions, it's not the right choice for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even though ECT has been around for nearly 90 years, scientists still are not quite sure why or how it benefits some people with depression.

What is ECT therapy?

Therefore, ECT therapy is most commonly used in severe major depression or bipolar disorder that have failed to respond to traditional methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, or talk therapy. The most common side effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are:

Why do doctors use ECT?

Doctors these days are much more hesitant to use ECT than passed, if for no other reason than because people are typically opposed. In addition, ECT is required by law to be used only by your consent or under the most severe conditions, such as: 1 To save your life 2 If urgently needed to prevent a rapid worsening of your condition

Is shock therapy safe?

Risks And Side Effects Of Shock Therapy. Modern ECT is a very safe procedure, but there are a few risks and side effects. Because this is a medical procedure that uses general anesthesia, you may suffer medical complications. In addition, the treatment always causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure.

Can you get shock treatment with ECT?

If your doctor has suggested ECT as a possible treatment for you or a loved one, you need to make sure you understand what your specific treatment will be done and what results you can achieve from it. However, you may be worried that you'll be given shock treatment against your will if you seek treatment for psychiatric problems. That's why it's important to find out all you can as soon as possible.

Where do you put electrode pads for ECT?

Then, they place electrode pads at specific places on your head. For example, if you have bilateral ECT, the leads will be on both sides of your head. For unilateral ECT, they'll only be on one side of your head.

Can ECT be administered without anesthesia?

Also, the seizure is extremely brief. ECT is no longer administered without general anesthesia. One other area that has changed recently is the type and use of equipment.

What is shock in Mayo Clinic?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes.

What to do when someone is in shock?

If you suspect a person is in shock, call 911 or your local emergency number. Then immediately take the following steps: Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly, unless you think this may cause pain or further injury. Keep the person still and don't move him or her unless necessary.

How do you know if you're in shock?

Signs and symptoms of shock vary depending on circumstances and may include: Cool, clammy skin. Pale or ashen skin. Bluish tinge to lips or fingernails (or gray in the case of dark complexions) Rapid pulse. Rapid breathing. Nausea or vomiting.

Why did terror stalk the halls of euthanasia hospitals?

According to history professor Henry Friedlander, “Terror stalked the halls of the euthanasia hospitals not only because patients feared being selected for killing at any time or because some of the staff beat and maltreated them, but also because some medical procedures imposed unusual pain.”.

When is ECT administered?

Promotional materials are careful in describing the procedure and present a picture that’s quite benign: “ECT treatment is generally administered in the morning, before breakfast,” reads one brochure. “Prior to the actual treatment, the patient is given general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant.

What machines were used in the Moroccan prison system?

The center also had several Page-Russell electroshock machines, which were routinely used on prisoners. During the post-shock periods, Moroccan physicians questioned the detainees, seeking information about opponents to the king.”.

Does electricity shock the brain?

And Baughman says using electricity to shock the brain into a seizure—no matter how you do it—results in real and lasting harm. “You are creating a seizure which is prima facie evidence of brain damage,” he observes.

Can a psychiatrist use psychotropic medications?

Psychiatrists often fiddle with the doses of psychotropic medications during a course of ECT treatments, which can have a huge effect on how patients report on their moods and mental states. Other studies rely on feedback from doctors, a research method with obvious perils.

What is pool shock?

You might be surprised to learn that pool shock is really just an ultra-high dose of pool sanitizer. You can purchase shock at any pool supply store. There are shock options also available that breakdown contaminants without adding chlorine. Speak to your local pool professional for more information.

What does pool shock do?

Adding pool shock to your pool is kind of like power-washing your swimming pool water. By adding a higher-than-normal dose of pool sanitizer to your pool water, you’re effectively killing algae, bacteria, and other contaminants. Also this removes chloramines that cause the water to have that chlorine smell and may irritate the eyes.

Which type of pool shock is right for you?

There are three basic types of shock treatments available for your pool. The type of shock treatment that you choose will depend on a few factors, including your budget, water chemistry and how quickly you want to swim after you shock your pool.

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What is electro shock therapy?

Electroshock therapy, also known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is a treatment for severe major depression, bipolar depression, and other mental health conditions. Psychiatrists may recommend ECT when a person does not respond well to other treatments. ECT uses electric currents to stimulate a person’s brain to induce a controlled seizure.

How does ECT work?

ECT uses electric currents to stimulate a person’s brain to induce a controlled seizure. Researchers do not exactly know how ECT works, but one theory is that it could regulate neurotransmitter activity. This article looks at how ECT works, whether it is an effective treatment, and its controversial history. It also discusses some alternative ...

Why do doctors recommend ECT?

However, doctors recommend ECT for some people because it is low risk and carries few side effects. Researchers are still not sure how ECT works, but they understand that it has many effects on the brain, including increasing blood flow and triggering the release of neurotransmitters and hormones.

Is ECT a good treatment for schizophrenia?

ECT can be an effective therapy for treatment-re sistant mental health conditions , including depression, schizophrenia, and catatonia. It is a very old psychiatric treatment and has a controversial history. However, doctors recommend ECT for some people because it is low risk and carries few side effects.

Is ECT a good treatment?

ECT is an effective treatment option for people who do not feel better after taking medication or going through therapy. For most people, it is a low risk procedure that has a powerful antidepressant effect, which could last for years#N#Trusted Source#N#.

Is TMS better than ECT?

However, TMS is the only technique that researchers have directly compared with ECT, and ECT produced better outcomes for people with depression.

Terminology

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