Therefore, ECT can be especially beneficial for those who are:
- suicidal
- psychotic
- catatonic
What are the pros and cons of ECT?
“While ECT can sometimes cause people to lose some past memories, we’ve become much better at mitigating that, and it’s less common and much less severe,” said Seiner, explaining unilateral placements of electrodes and the use of “ultra-brief pulses” better emulate how the brain works, so clinicians can induce seizures with less electricity and fewer side effects.
What are the long term effects of ECT?
What are the long term side effects of ECT? Side effects of ECT can include slight memory loss, adverse reactions to anesthesia, hyper- and hypotension, and ongoing heart issues throughout life. Though these side effects are rare and can often be prevented through proper pre-diagnosis, they do add to the controversy of ECT therapy.
What are the dangers of ECT?
“ECT (electroconvulsive treatment) damages the brain and mind. In many cases, it results in huge permanent gaps in memory for important life events, educational background, and professional skills. The individual may even lose his or her identity.
What are the risks of ECT?
Risks of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Memory Loss. Memory loss is the primary side effect associated with ECT treatment. ...
- Concentration and Attention Problems. Some people with have ECT treatments complain of ongoing problems with concentration and attention, much like a person with attention deficit disorder.
- General Confusion. ...
- Other Side Effects. ...
- Other Risks. ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ECT?
The Pros & Cons Of ECT First and foremost, the treatment requires sedation, making recovery complex and much longer. Second, ECT has a higher chance to cause serious side effects for some individuals, including memory loss, which can deter potential patients. Pros of ECT: Safer today than previous ECT treatments.
How long does ECT benefits last?
The ECT taper from an acute series to a maintenance schedule is generally once a week for 4 treatments, then every 2 weeks for 4 treatments, then every 3 weeks for 4 treatments, then every 4 weeks. There is no limit on how long a patient can receive maintenance ECT provided the treatment is effective.
What is the success rate of ECT therapy?
What is the Success Rate of Electroconvulsive Therapy? ECT is an effective medical treatment option, helping as many as 80-85 percent of patients who receive it. Most patients remain well for many months afterwards.
What does ECT do to the brain?
WHAT IS ECT? During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is passed through the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia. This current causes a seizure that affects the entire brain, including the parts that control mood, appetite, and sleep.
Can ECT reset your brain?
ECT has been referred to as a “reset button for the brain,” which not only directly improves depressive symptoms, but also allows current medications to work more effectively.
Can ECT change your personality?
ECT does not change a person's personality, nor is it designed to treat those with just primary “personality disorders.” ECT can cause transient short-term memory — or new learning — impairment during a course of ECT, which fully reverses usually within one to four weeks after an acute course is stopped.
Is ECT good for anxiety?
Conclusions: Electroconvulsive therapy is effective in the acute treatment of major depressive disorder patients associated with anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms improved less than depression symptoms during acute electroconvulsive therapy.
When should ECT not be used?
The following strategies should not be used routinely: augmentation of an antidepressant with a benzodiazepine for more than 2 weeks as there is a risk of dependence. augmentation of an antidepressant with buspirone*, carbamazepine*, lamotrigine* or valproate* as there is insufficient evidence for their use.
Is memory loss from ECT permanent?
Retrograde amnesia usually improves during the first few months after ECT. Nonetheless, for many patients, recovery is incomplete, with permanent amnesia for events that occurred close in time to the treatment.
Does ECT increase serotonin?
Conclusion. Altogether, our results showed that serum serotonin levels significantly increase following ECT in MDD patients.
Does ECT reduce IQ?
However, former patients have publicly testified that ECT can result in a very significant (>30 point) permanent decrement in IQ score (Food and Drug Administration, 1982; Andre, 2001; Cott, 2005: p.
Does ECT destroy brain cells?
The review of literature and present evidence suggests that ECT has a demonstrable impact on the structure and function of the brain. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to suggest that ECT causes brain damage.
How does ECT work?
With ECT, an electric current is briefly applied through the scalp to the brain, inducing a seizure. In addition, alternative therapies such as yoga and hypnosis sometimes work for mild depression.
When is ECT used?
ECT is generally used when severe depression is unresponsive to other forms of therapy. Or it might be used when patients pose a severe threat to themselves or others and it is too dangerous to wait until medications take effect. Although ECT has been used since the 1940s and 1950s, it remains misunderstood by the general public.
How often is ECT given?
The confusion typically lasts for only a short period of time. ECT is usually given up to three times a week for a total of two to four weeks.
What is brain stimulation?
Brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), for example, can be used to treat major depression that hasn't responded to standard treatments. The least invasive of these techniques is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in which a magnetic field is created by a device held above the head, ...
What is electroconvulsive therapy?
When medication fails to ease the symptoms of clinical depression, there are other options to try. Brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), for example, can be used to treat major depression that hasn't responded to standard treatments.
What is experimental therapy?
Experimental therapies are treatments that are not regularly used by doctors. Their safety and effectiveness are still being studied. Some experimental therapies currently being investigated for treatment of depression include: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women: Depression is more common in women than in men.
What are some examples of alternative therapies?
Examples of alternative therapies include acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic treatments, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, and massage. In general, alternative therapies by themselves are reasonable to use for mild but not more severe forms of clinical depression.
What is ECT used for?
ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. Treatment-resistant depression, a severe depression that doesn't improve with medications or other treatments. Severe mania, a state of intense euphoria, agitation or hyperactivity ...
What is ECT in medical terms?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure, done under general anesthesia, in which small electric currents are passed through the brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
Why is electroconvulsive therapy used?
Why it's done. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. Treatment-resistant depression, ...
How often do you get ECT?
In the United States, ECT treatments are generally given two to three times weekly for three to four weeks — for a total of six to 12 treatments. Some doctors use a newer technique called right unilateral ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy that's done daily on weekdays.
How long after ECT can you drive?
However, some people may be advised not to return to work, make important decisions, or drive until one to two weeks after the last ECT in a series, or for at least 24 hours after a single treatment during maintenance therapy.
Is it safe to take ECT?
Risks. Although ECT is generally safe, risks and side effects may include: 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're there. Rarely, confusion may last several days or longer.
Why is ECT effective?
The reason for the effectiveness of ECT is unknown. The electric pulse is thought to trigger an immediate increase in dopamine and serotonin, the body’s main neurotransmitters associated with depression. ECT also causes a release of important hormones and of natural mood-elevating chemicals, known as endorphins.
What is ECT given for?
ECT is given under anesthesia in both outpatient and inpatient hospital settings. Between 70 and 90 percent of patients experience a rapid improvement in symptoms. It may also help people who are acutely ill with mania, psychosis, catatonia, agitated dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts.
How often does ECT treatment last?
ECT may help people whose depression has not responded to other treatment. In the U.S., treatment usually happens three times a week, and a treatment cycle can last from 6 to 12 treatments.
How long does an ECT pulse last?
ECT delivers a small electric pulse to the brain for 1 to 2 seconds, while an individual is under general anesthesia. This causes brain cells to fire in unison, resulting in a brief seizure. As the individual is asleep and their muscles are relaxed, the only evidence of the seizure is through the brain’s wave activity as seen on a monitor. ...
What is the effect of ECT on the body?
ECT also causes a release of important hormones and of natural mood-elevating chemicals, known as endorphins. Antidepressants stimulate a similar reaction, but it can take. Trusted Source. several weeks and different drug combinations to receive the same effect.
What is ECT therapy?
ECT, formerly called electroshock therapy , has been used to treat several psychiatric conditions since 1938. In its early use, people undergoing the treatment often experienced damage to teeth and bones and significant pre-treatment anxiety.
What is electroconvulsive therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe, controlled procedure for depression and other psychological disorders that have not responded to other treatments. A small amount of electric current is passed through the brain in order to cause a brief seizure.
How does ECT work?
It is still unclear exactly how ECT works. Many view it as a “reset” of the brain, or a beneficial cumulative effect of changes in blood flow and brain chemistry. At Aurora Behavioral Health System, we have seen the benefits of ECT and strongly believe in its success.
What is ECT in mental health?
The most common mental health disorders treated through ECT are: Severe depression. Schizophrenia.
Why is ECT used incorrectly?
Some institutions used ECT incorrectly to subdue patients and make them easier to maintain. Mass media, social media, and, unfortunately, abuse and misuse throughout history, have led to a grave misunderstanding about the use and benefits of ECT.
Who administers electroconvulsive therapy?
Today, Electroconvulsive Therapy is administered by a medical team including a psychiatrist, anesthesiologist, and nurses. The patient receives anesthesia, and are unconscious throughout the procedure. In addition, a muscle relaxant is administered to protect the patient from the usual convulsions and possible injury.
When was electrophysiology first developed?
When the therapy was first being developed in the early and mid-1900s, the patient would be awake when the electrical pulse was administered, thus resulting in the body arching as muscles contracted, as well as the loss of other bodily functions.
Is ECT a cure?
It is not a cure, but ECT can help people return to a normal , productive life . ECT continually is found to have the fastest results in the treatment of severe mental health disorders, whereas medications and other therapies can take weeks to see any results. Another benefit of ECT is that it may be a treatment alternative for those who cannot ...
How effective is ECT for depression?
ECT is the most effective known treatment for depression with remission rates of 50-80% (give or take depending on the study), even for treatment-resistant depression.
How long does it take for ECT to go away?
These cognitive deficits have been shown to go away between 1-6 months after treatment ends.
Is ECT evil?
Are There Actually Pros to ECT? Some people will tell you that ECT is evil and there are no benefits worth the side effects. Some people will tell you that ECT is inhumane and should be banned. Some people say that anyone who gets ECT is submitting to some form of assault. All of this is poppycock.
Can bilateral ECT cause memory loss?
The more ECT you do and the more bilateral ECT you do, the greater your risk of side effects like memory loss . The positive effects of ECT may be short-lived leaving you with the choice as to whether to have ECT again. (Doctors try to prevent this by selecting medication for you when you get better that will keep you better.)
Is unilateral ECT a pro or con?
Yes, it’s that successful and painless for some. One other factor that is an ECT pro and con is that typically, unilateral ECT is tried first (there are fewer side effects) but if that isn’t effective, a stronger form of ECT (bilateral) can be tried. It’s a pro because it’s an option but it’s a con because of the increased side effects.
Is ECT covered by insurance?
ECT seems unbelievably effective in treating catatonia with a success rate of over 90% in those, severe cases. ECT is typically covered by insurance ( I wish that weren’t a factor for people but, let’s face it, it is).
Does ECT cause headaches?
ECT can produce physical pain during the treatment. This is muscular and has to do with the invoked seizure, the anaesthesia or both. Headaches are common. This pain is typically easily treated with over the counter medications or, in some cases, prescribed medication like acetaminophen with codeine.
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common disorders causing mortality around the world. Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is, along with antidepressants and psychotherapy, one of the three major treatments of depression, it is still considered as the last resort for depressed patients.
Introduction
Depression, the most prevalent mood disorder worldwide, has been indicated as an increasing social burden and as causing a significant proportion of mortality. Depression, occurring beyond or around and even among us, is the most common mental illness. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the cause of depression ( Malhi and Mann, 2018 ).
Searching Strategy and Selection Criteria
We searched PubMed for studies published between June 1, 2010, and June 1, 2018, using the terms “depression,” “depressive disorder,” and “depressive disorder, major,” with specifiers “therapy” as well as “ECT,” “electroconvulsive shock,” and “electroconvulsive seizure.” In addition, we retrospectively pooled studies conducted by the CORE/PRIDE Work Group.
Clinical Studies of ECT
Upon its introduction, more than half a century ago, ECT has been applied to benefit patients in clinical application, especially for mental disorders ( Husain et al., 2004; Liang et al., 2018; Osler et al., 2018 ). Generally, only if medication and psychotherapy are unsuccessful is ECT considered. ECT was generally underused.
Safety and Effectiveness of ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy was shown to be a relatively safe method to treat depression and remedy treatment-resistant patients. Continuation ECT alone or continuation ECT combined with medication was favorable to remaining in a remission state after response to ECT.
The Potential Mechanism of ECS
With regard to the mechanism of ECS on neurogenesis, the increased volume of specific regions of the brain with the application of ECS has been demonstrated. This increase was associated with improved behavior and neuroplasticity ( Madsen et al., 2005; Kyeremanteng et al., 2014; Luo et al., 2015 ).
Discussion
With regard to clinical utilization of ECT, many studies favor its effectiveness and relative safety. ECT had been introduced to treat diseases for decades, leading more researchers to investigate modified current ECT and explore its clinical indication. Without question, ECT alleviated depressive symptoms.
Overview
Why It's Done
Risks
- ECT is among the safest and most effective treatments available for depression. With ECT, electrodes are placed on the patient's scalp and a finely controlled electric current is applied while the patient is under general anesthesia. The current causes a brief seizure in the brain. ECT is one of the fastest ways to relieve symptoms in severely depr...
How You Prepare
What You Can Expect
Results
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: 1. Severe depression,particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat. 2. Treatment-resistant depression,a severe depression that ...