The Shocking Truth About Electroconvulsive Therapy

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Did you know in 2007 suicide was the third most leading cause of death for teens ranging from 15-19? Crazy right! Now there are many ways to help prevent suicide like rehab or medication. But, what if they don’t work? Electroconvulsive therapy is another way to medicate the already medicated. It is considered as a quick fix in place of long term therapy or hospitalization. It is the quickest way to relieve symptoms of depression and suicidal patients. Brain stimulation techniques like electroconvulsive therapy are an alternative way to treat depression when standard medication is unresponsive.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method in which patients who show mental disorders are treated by passing electricity to the brain of the patient. In 1938 two Italian researchers named Lucino Bini and Ugo Cerletti performed electroconvulsive therapy for the first time. It was conducted on a patient who had schizophrenia on April 14, 1938. With one more session left; the patient who received ECT was much more improved and was able to work. ECT wasn’t also used to treat mental disorders, but it was also used in world war two. Military medical personnel were required to learn how to conduct ECT on soldiers who had depression. Medical doctors and neurologist recognize electroconvulsive therapy as a way to treat severe depression or severe brain disorders. It’s viewed as an effective way and a reputable probability to cure a patient. On the other hand; individuals who have never heard of electroconvulsive therapy may become a skeptic as to how compelling it really is. Society is frightened as it illustrates the idea of having electricity sent to the brain. Furthermore society depicts ECT’s as the electric chair for criminals or individuals...

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...ectroconvulsive therapy.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. ED. Laurie J. Fundukian. 4th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Science in Context. Web. 7 Nov. 2013
 Belluck, Pam. “New Therapy for Depression.” New York Times11 Feb. 2013: D6(L). Science In Context. Web. 7 Nov. 2013
 “Clinical Depression: Timeline.” Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 12 Nov.
 “Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).” Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
 “Electroconvulsive Therapy.” World of Health. Gale 2007. Science In Context. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
 “Introduction of Electroshock Therapy.” Science and its Times. ED. Neil. Schlager and Josh Lauer. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Science in Context. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
 “Melancholic Depression.” Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

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