What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has not lost any of its effectiveness since it was first used in 1938, and this form of treatment, which has been written thousands of articles on its effectiveness and thousands of articles against it, has not lost any of its power. Electroshock therapy also known as.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is one of the oldest biological treatments based on the induction of generalized convulsions by electrical stimulation of the brain under general anesthesia. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) appears to cause changes in brain chemistry that can rapidly reverse the symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is believed to be underutilized as a treatment. This is mainly due to misconceptions and prejudices about ECT. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is not a treatment of “last resort”.
Much of the stigma attached to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is based on early treatments that involved high doses of electricity without anesthesia, leading to memory loss, broken bones and other serious side effects.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is much safer today and although it can still cause some side effects, it now uses electrical currents delivered in a controlled environment to achieve the most benefit with the least possible risk.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) can provide rapid and significant improvements in severe symptoms of a variety of mental health conditions.
In Which Diseases Can Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Be Used?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a very effective treatment option for severe depression, especially when the person is unable to take care of himself/herself, such as a detachment from reality (psychosis), suicidal ideation or refusal to eat.
Treatment-resistant depression, severe depression that does not improve with medication or other treatments.
Severe mania, a state of intense euphoria, agitation or hyperactivity that occurs as part of bipolar disorder. Other symptoms of mania include impaired judgment, impulsive or risky behavior, substance abuse and psychosis.
Catatonia is characterized by lack of movement, rapid or awkward movements, lack of speech and other symptoms. It is associated with schizophrenia and some other psychiatric disorders. In some cases, catatonia is caused by a medical illness. In such cases, ECT is again one of the treatments of choice. Agitation and aggression in people with dementia, which can be difficult to treat and negatively affect quality of life. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) can be a good treatment option when medications are not tolerated or other forms of treatment do not work.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may also be preferred in some specific medical conditions;
- During pregnancy, when medicines cannot be taken because they can harm the developing fetus,
- Older adults who cannot tolerate drug side effects,
- People who prefer Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatments instead of taking medication,
- People who have had successful results with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in the past.
Is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Risky?
While Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is generally safe, risks and side effects can include
Clouding of consciousness, confusion. Immediately after treatment, you may experience confusion, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. You may not know where you are or why you are there. Rarely, confusion can last for several days or longer. Confusion is usually more pronounced in older adults.
Memory loss Some people have difficulty remembering events that happened just before treatment, or weeks or months before treatment, or rarely in previous years. This is called retrograde amnesia.
You may also have problems remembering events that happened during the weeks of your treatment. For most people, these memory problems usually improve a few months after treatment ends.
What are the Physical Side Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
On the days of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment, some people experience nausea, headache, jaw pain or muscle pain. These can usually be treated with medication.
Medical complications. As with any medical procedure, especially those involving anesthesia, there are risks of medical complications. During Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) the heart rate and blood pressure increase and in rare cases can lead to serious heart problems. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be riskier if you have heart problems.
What are the Preparations for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
Before you receive your first Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment, you will need a full assessment, which usually includes
- Medical history
- Full physical examination
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Basic blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart health
- Discussion of anesthesia risks
These examinations help you to make sure that Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is safe for you.
What should you consider before ECT?
You will receive general anesthesia. Therefore, no food or water should be given after the night before. You may have a short physical examination. This is mainly to check your heart and lungs.
Anesthesia Process and Drugs in ECT
You will have an intravenous (IV) drip to administer the drugs. Electrode pads the size of a coin will be placed on your head and very small electrical currents will be given to both sides of the brain. This procedure will not cause any pain as you will receive superficial anesthesia.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) takes about five to ten minutes, with additional time for preparation and recovery. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) can be performed while in hospital or as an outpatient procedure.
At the beginning of the procedure, you will receive medicines through a vein. You will receive an anesthetic so that you do not feel anything, and a muscle relaxant to help minimize seizures and prevent injury. Depending on your health condition or previous Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) sessions, you may also receive other medicines.
During ECT
When you are asleep from the anesthesia and your muscles are relaxed, the doctor presses a button on an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) machine. This causes a small amount of electric current to pass through the electrodes to your brain, creating a seizure that usually lasts less than 60 seconds.
Because of the anesthesia and muscle relaxants given, you are relaxed and do not notice that you are having a seizure.
Internally, the activity in your brain increases significantly. An instrument called an electroencephalogram (EEG) records the electrical activity in your brain. Sudden increased activity on the EEG signals the onset of a seizure, followed by a stabilization that indicates the seizure is over.
After a few minutes, the effects of the short-acting anesthetic and muscle relaxant begin to wear off. When you wake up, you may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to several tens of minutes or longer.
Duration and Number of Electroconvulsive Therapy
It is common practice all over the world;
Electroconvulsive Therapy treatments are usually given two to three times a week for three to four weeks, for a total of 6 to 12 treatments.
The number and type of treatments you will need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how quickly they improve.
You can usually return to your normal activities a few hours after the procedure. However, some people may be advised not to return to work, make important decisions or drive for up to one to two weeks after their last Electroconvulsive Therapy or for at least 24 hours after a single treatment during maintenance treatment. Resuming activities depends on when the memory loss and confusion have resolved.
About the Results of Electroconvulsive Therapy
Many people begin to notice an improvement in their symptoms after about five to six treatments with Electroconvulsive Therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy depression No one knows for sure how it helps treat seizures and other mental illnesses. But what is known is that many chemical aspects of brain function change during and after seizure activity. These chemical changes can build on each other and somehow reduce the symptoms of severe depression or other mental illnesses. This is why Electroconvulsive Therapy is most effective in people who receive a full course of multiple treatments.
The information on this page has been prepared by the Medical Team of Private Moodist Hospital.