Mental health articles

 Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This is the technical name forthe much-feared ‘shock’ therapy. There is no doubt that ECT is often given to people who do not need it. It may also sometimes be given without anaesthesia, which is unacceptable,unethical practice. Despite these incidents of bad practice, the fact remains that that ECT is one of the mostdramatic and effective treatments in medicine, when used for thedisorders for which it is indicated, namely severe depressive illness and acute manic episodes. It is also remarkably safe: if properly given under anaesthesia, side-effects are rare.

Tags: electroconvulsive therapy, side-effects, therapy