Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment for depression that uses electricity to trigger a seizure.
Alternative Names
Shock treatment; ECT
How the test is performed
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is most often done in a hospital's operating or recovery room while you are asleep and pain-free (general
- You receive medicine to relax you (muscle relaxant) and to prevent you from feeling pain (short-acting anesthetic).
- A small amount of electric...
More information on "Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy"
From Our Experts
Doctor "Shock" Talks about Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT has been around for some time. It was introduced to psychiatry in the 1930's and gained much... Read more »
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits?
When does a doctor recommend ECT? Unfortunately, the answer depends much more on who the doctor is than what a clearly defined hierarchy... Read more »
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) continues to provoke arguments. For some it represents little more than a haphazard and degrading... Read more »
Benefits & Limitations of ECT for Depression
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), sometimes called shock treatment, is a form of therapy for depression. ECT remains a controversial form of... Read more »
Question of the Week: ECT
I'm headed out the door to drive someone to ECT. ECT arouses a lot of passions, but in the case of this individual it brought him back from... Read more »
From Our Sources
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Shock treatment; ECT Normal Values What abnormal results mean Read more »
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Shock treatment; ECT References Frederikse M, Petrides G, Kellner C. Continuation and maintenance electroconvulsive therapy for the... Read more »
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Shock treatment; ECT What the risks are Possible side effects from ECT include: Allergic reaction to the anesthesia ... Read more »
Other Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Bipolar disorder is a recurrent disease that can be unpredictable. It is treatable, however, and many patients go to have healthy and productive... Read more »
Depression and Light Therapy, Electric Shock Treatment
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
PsychotherapyAmong the various psychotherapeutic "talk therapies," cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to be the most effective approach. If... Read more »
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