Research Paper On ECT

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a controlled medical procedure that entails inducing a generalized seizure in a patient to produce a therapeutic effect. ECT has been in use for over 70 years and continues to be more effective than antidepressant drugs for affective disorders. However, despite its long history of effectiveness, ECT is considered a controversial treatment because it does involve intentionally sending shocks of electricity into a patient’s brain. In this essay, I will address what exactly ECT is, history, indications, adverse effects and much more.
Electroconvulsive therapy first began in 1938 by Italian neurologist Ugo Cerletti. Along with Lucio Bini, Cerletti was able to quickly and successfully induce a generalized seizure via electricity. All of this was done by maintaining positive therapeutic results. From this, ECT was invented and quickly gained popularity due to the fact that it could effectively alleviate symptoms at a time when there were no other alternative methods. This was the beginning of a new era in therapeutic optimism in psychiatry. (Kavanagh & McLoughlin, 2009)
Until the late 1960s, ECT treatment was used very frequently and patients would not be told a clear reason as to why they were receiving the therapy. There was no medical assessment, follow up or teaching on ECT. Patients were most often shocked in open wards of asylums, simply tied to beds without anesthesia or muscle relaxants. According to Cyrzyk (2013, p. 23), “many of the patients who underwent ECT felt abused, oppressed, punished and damaged, all of which had a negative impact on the image of psychiatry in general.” Misconceptions of ECT treatment were highlighted in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975. This instill...

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...one.
ECT treatment is a controlled medical procedure where a generalized seizure is induced in order to produce a therapeutic effect. First began in 1938, ECT has been used for a variety of mental illnesses including depression and schizophrenia. There are many benefits to having this procedure done, however, there are also many adverse effects such as memory loss that may never be reversed. Like any other medical procedure there are also both legal and ethical issues that arise that have the potential to steer patient away from considering ECT treatment. One of those ethical issues is the exact mechanism of action the treatments takes on. There have been many theories, but no solid answers yet. Hopefully with continued research, we will be able to figure out just how ECT works and potentially find a way to treat patient without the adverse effect of memory loss.

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