Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is

a procedure in which electric

currents are passed through the
brain, intentionally triggering a
brief seizure.

Formerly known as electroshock
Cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly
reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses
It often works when other treatments are
unsuccessful.
Much safer today and is given to people while they're
under general anesthesia.
Usually used as a last line of intervention for major
depressive disorder, schizophrenia, mania and
catatonia.
Involves multiple administrations, typically given two
or three times per week until the patient is no longer
suffering symptoms

It was first introduced in 1938 by Italian
neuropsychiatrists Ugo Cerletti and Lucio Bini,
and gained widespread popularity among
psychiatrists as a form of treatment in the 1940s
and 1950s.
The World Health Organization (2005) advises
that it should be used only with the informed
consent of the patient or their proxy, only with
adequate analgesia and muscle relaxants, and
never on children.

Clients usually are given a series of 6 to 15
treatments scheduled 3 times a week. Generally
a minimum of 6 treatments is needed to see
sustained improvement in depressive
symptoms. Maximum benefit is achieved in 12
to 15 treatments.
Preparation of a client for ECT is similar to
preparation for any outpatient minor surgical
procedure. The client is NPO after midnight,
removes any fingernail polish, and voids just
prior to the procedure. An IV is started for the
administration of medication.
Initially the client receives a short-acting anesthetic
so he or she is not awake during the procedure.
Next he or she receives a muscle relaxant, usually
succinylcholine, that relaxes all muscles to reduce
greatly the outward signs of the seizure (e.g., clonic,
tonic muscle contractions).
Electrodes are placed on the clients head: one on
either side (bilateral), or both on one side of the head
(unilateral).
Monitored by an electroencephalogram (EEG).
Client receives oxygen and is assisted to breathe with
an ambu bag.
Vital signs are monitored, and the client is assessed
for the return of a gag reflex.


Following ECT treatment:

The client may be mildly confused or
disoriented briefly.
Is very tired and often has a headache.
Headaches are treated symptomatically.
The symptoms are just like those of anyone
who has had a grand mal seizure.
The client will have some short term memory
impairment.


Unilateral ECT results in less memory loss for the
client, but more treatments may be needed to see
sustained improvement.
Bilateral ECT results in more rapid improvement
but with increased short term memory loss.
Studies regarding the efficacy of ECT are as
divided as the opinions about its use. Some
studies report that ECT is as effective as
medication for depression, while other studies
report only short-term improvement. Likewise,
some studies report that side effects of ECT are
short-lived, while others report they are serious
and long-term (Challiner, & Griffiths, 2000).
(^_^)
the end!!!