Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for patients who do not respond to other treatments for severe major depression,bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
ECT is a brief electrical stimulation of the brain performed while the patient is sedated. It is usually administered by a team of trained medical professionals consisting of a psychiatrist ,an anesthesiologist , and a nurse.
ECT is typically used when other types of methods of treatment, such as medications and psychotherapy have failed. Electroconvulsive therapy is also used for people who require a quick treatment response due to the severity of their condition, such as suicidal tendency.
Electroconvulsive therapy is very effective for treating episodes of serious mental disorder, but it does not prevent the illness from returning in the future. As a result, the majority of people who receive ECT must continue to receive some type of maintenance treatment. This typically means medication and/or psychotherapy or, in some circumstances, ongoing ECT treatments.
Types of ECT:
There are 2 types of ECT.
- Bilateral ECT. This is when the current is passed through both sides of your head.
- Unilateral ECT. This is when the current is only on one side of your head.