How is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) used to treat depression? To answer this question, we must first answer these other questions: What is electroconvulsive therapy? When depression is diagnosed, which patients are suitable for ECT and which for psychotherapy? If not all depressed patients will respond to ECT, how are we to identify those likely to benefit?
Invented by Cerletti and Bini, in 1938, ECT was the first form of therapy that reliably reduced severe depression (Abrams and Essman, 1982). Electroconvulsive therapy is a technique for treating psychiatric patients, in which seizures similar to those of epilepsy are induced by passing a current of electricity through the forehead (Encarta, 1995).
Cerlitti started his experiments on dogs, applying electrodes to the mouth and anus. He did not want to try this experience on humans because half of the dogs being treated had died. Bini discovered that the reason for the dogs’ deaths was that the current was traveling straight through to the heart. It was then that he tried putting the electrodes on the two temples. After this change, no more dogs died and his first human patient was in April of 1938 (Abrams and Essman, 1982).
Side effects included temporary memory loss and intellectual impairment, with a slight risk of fractures and respiratory failure. In recent years such as side effects have been reduced by a modified treatment involving a much lower current and sometimes a reduced number of sessions (Groiler, 1993). Normally the current is administered three times weekly for two to six week’s (Fraser, 1982).
When ECT was first used, patients frequently suffered fractures while having convulsions, but muscle relaxant drugs are now routinely used to prevent such fractures (Encarta, 1995).
For example, in the book Undercurrents, Martha Manning was given a shot of atropine which is used to dry secretions before many hospital procedures. Through an IV, Manning also received succinylcholine, which immobilized her to prevent the breakage of bones and methohexital, which acted as a short-acting anesthetic (Manning, 1994).
Also, as in Undercurrents, another modern practice involved applying the electric current to only the nondominant side of the brain, thus reducing the loss of memory, which is the most troubling side effect of ECT (Manning, 1994; Encarta, 1995). Unilateral ECT, as described above, is less effective than bilateral ECT (Encarta, 1995).
The answer of when to give ECT is about as simple as the question. ECT is considered most effective for depressions not responsive to drug therapy (Fraser, 1982).
Unlike Naomi, Eric does not respond to drug therapy. Therefore, instead of a drug therapy, Eric receives the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or brain stimulation often an effective treatment for patients like Eric with severe depression who does not respond to a drug therapy. By shocking the brain, the ECT manipulates the brain’s chemical imbalance produced by the social-cultural stress experience. But after eleven ECTs in a month, Eric cannot function because of the temporary side effects of memory loss and confusion affecting his concentration to play the viola and his well-being. Then after four months of receiving ECT treatment, Eric returns to normal social functioning as a musician. Six months later, Eric is still playing the viola and has had no recurrence of his
Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, is a medical procedure that is used in the treatment of mental illness. In ECT, a small electrical impulse is sent through the brain, resulting in an ephemeral seizure. Though the process is generally effective, modern science is unaware of the explanation behind ECT's success. Its history is filled with a large amount of stigma and the use of ECT as a therapy is still debated today. ECT has evolved to a point where its beneficial effects can be maximized and its adverse effects can be minimized through proper administration.
... in assisting those who care about the bipolar individual, as well as providing socialization and a means to not feel alone. Generally, as a last resort, electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT is used. An electrical current is passed through the brain. This is thought to change the brain chemistry and increase the mood. This is used only for severe depression or when symptoms are unsuccessfully treated with medications. People with Bipolar Disorder are encouraged to avoid drinking alcohol, avoid the use of street drugs or misusing prescription medications, avoid unhealthy relationships, get plenty of sleep, and exercise on a regular basis. One thing is clear. The person themselves must be active in their own well-being in order to maintain a relatively healthy and productive lifestyle. In so doing, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is very good.
These medications made him gain excessive weight and contract serious acne, and they did not even prevent him from attempting suicide several more times. He was also placed in a group home when he was a young man but did not feel safe there. Group environments, medication, and the council he sought at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign were not working for Kazmierczak, so the treatment option of Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT) seems to be appropriate. According to the textbook, ECT is used as a last resort for patients who suffer from Major Depression and may be seriously considering suicide. As someone who did not benefit from other types of treatment, Kazmierczak would have been a good candidate for the procedure. After being given a muscle relaxer, an anaesthetic, and being properly protected from the convulsions that would go through his body, a doctor would administer an electric through the
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When ECT was first introduced, it was a terrifying and hazardous procedure: patients suffered serious side effects, even breaking a bone from convulsions (Nairne, Smith & Lindsay, 2001). It has been criticized since its beginnings, and only recently it has begun to be seen more positively. The major reason for this is the fact that the treatment went through significant changes over the years – it is now much safer than before. Nowadays, patients are given a general anaesthetic and medications that relax the muscles to prevent injuries from occur. However, most professionals still consider it to be a treatment of last resort. It is used when people have shown...
?What is the role of ECT in the treatment of mania?? Harvard Mental Health Letter. June 1997.
Currently, there is a lack of studies in regards to whether or not this therapy causes significant damage to the brain. Correspondingly, there is little research done in regards to how great relapse rates are and how long the treatment can truly last. Consequently, many people have abstained from receiving treatment to avoid any possibility of impairment or reversion. However, it has not been denied nor confirmed that ECT directly causes the aforementioned results. Moreover, many theories created to downplay electroconvulsive therapy’s effectiveness are being brought back into the spotlight, including one that attributes ECT’s success to brain damage. Breggin states, “More recently [Harold] Sackeim and Sackeim with a team of colleagues have covertly revived the principle that a therapeutic response depends upon the degree of brain damage and dysfunction” (par. 17). Although this theory was made to discredit ECT, there has been no research done to disprove its accuracy. Furthermore, because of a lack of research, when a new study such as this comes out, many people believe it right away no matter how erroneous it may actually be. More research on ECT is desperately needed to see if these theories are factual or not. As a result of these truths or fallacies, the therapy can be improved upon
However out of all the medication listed for most mental disorders, electroconvulsive therapy, has the most positive effect for cotard syndrome. It is commonly known as electroshock treatment. The patients are electronically given seizures to give the relief from their psychiatric illnesses. Women are more likely to go under electroshock treat, seeing as they are more likely to go into depression. Electroshock treatment is usually given as a last result for most major depression disorders, like cotard syndrome.
Being introduced in the early 1900’s, electroconvulsive shock therapy, or ECT, has deemed to be one of the most effectual and least understood treatments in psychiatry. Technically it has distorted in many ways since its conception and is now viewed as a secure and effective treatment of patients with key depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic episodes, and other grave mental turmoil’s. Nevertheless, the neurobiological transformations critical to the therapeutic triumph of ECT have not yet been fully understood. Such a knowledge fissure has led to an erroneous representation of ECT in the media and fallacy about ECT being held by many patients and even health care professionals.
Many treatments within the medical field have been considered controversial, but even after seventy-eight years of use electroconvulsive therapy, also referred to as ECT, is still one of the most questionable treatments. Just like any other treatment ECT has its risk and advantages, but it seems to have an even more negative connotation than other controversial treatments due to its violent history. Throughout the seventy-eight years that ECT has been around, research has been done to learn more about the treatment, which disorders it can be useful for, and what side effects can occur. The research has led to adjustments being made to the procedure and has significantly improved patient safety. The success of electroconvulsive therapy can be shown by numbers and case opinions; it may work for one person, but not another.
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Electrical stimulation (ES) therapy involves the transfer of electrical current across wound tissue through the two electrodes and uses three types of currents: AC, DC and Pulse DC. According to various studies, electrical stimulation therapy has shown to reduce inflammation, edema, improve wound appearance, cause a faster reduction in wound size by helping to kick start the wound healing process and is cost effective for many patients. It has generated a positive impact on patient’s comfort and convenience. Electrical stimulation therapy has provided numerous beneficial effects in wound healing demonstrated by various studies, however; further research trials are needed in order to prove the effectiveness and benefits of electrical stimulation therapy as it relates to wound healing (Cutting, 2006).
Payne, N.A. and Prudic, J. (2009) Electroconvulsive Therapy Part I : A Perspective on the Evolution and Current Practice of ECT Journal of Psychiatric Practice 15(5) pp.346-368
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