http://www.freedomfromfear.org/viewtopic.asp?topic_id=242
freedomfromfear.org
Jennifer Leslie
Electroconvulsive Therapy (also known as Electroshock or ECT) was introduced in the 1930s. Today, it is estimated that about one million people worldwide receive the safe and effective treatment. ECT is most often used to help those suffering from severe depression, acute mania, catatonia and occasional cases of schizophrenia. ECT is approved by the American Psychiatric Association when administered under specific guidelines, including written and informed consent from the patient, as well as an overview of possible side effects explained by the doctor. While administering treatment, an anesthesiologist, psychiatrist and recovery nurse must be present.
ECT is performed in a hospital setting. Clients are normally inpatients receiving treatment three times per week; however outpatient ECT may also be an option. A patient may receive as little as three treatments, or as many as 15, depending on his/her personal situation. A patient undergoing ECT is unable to eat eight to12 hours prior to the procedure. Once the anesthesia is administered, the muscles are temporarily paralyzed to prevent the patient from moving throughout the procedure. Electrodes are placed on the head and an electric current is applied (for a second or less) and passes through the brain, inducing a grand mal seizure. During the seizure, the patient does not experience pain. The seizure causes chemicals, called neurotransmitters, to be released into the brain and allows the cells to work better with one another.
Though researchers are still not sure how ECT works, there are many hypotheses. Some researchers believe that treatment changes the receptors in the brain that receive chemicals (for example, serotonin). Another theory is that ECT is able to stabilize a person’s mood by teaching the brain to resist seizures. A third is that ECT releases chemicals which increases metabolism and blood flow through the brain. Meanwhile, the patient’s seizure activity and heart rhythm are constantly being monitored and an oxygen mask is also used. A clinically effective seizure usually lasts from about 30 seconds to a minute and the patient is awake again within 15-20 minutes.
ECT is most often used to treat clients suffering from major depression who have been unresponsive to therapy or prescription drugs. ECT is also administered to patients who have severe thoughts of suicide, those who refuse to eat, drink or take prescribed medication or present immediate danger to themselves. The treatment has quicker results than many medications and therapy and many patients see changes in mood after just two to three treatments. A study conducted in 2006 at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina showed that ECT improved the quality of life for nearly 80 percent of their participants.
After receiving Electroshock Therapy, the patient may experience some confusion, nausea, short term memory loss, the inability to concentrate, back pain, muscle stiffness or headaches. There also may be a brief drop in blood pressure, an increase in heart rate or heart rhythm disturbances. Symptoms usually last for about 20-60 minutes following treatment and may be helped with aspirin. Some patients may experience longer-term memory problems.
Recent studies indicate that ECT has a very low mortality rate (4.5 deaths per 100,000 treatments). Most risk is due to anesthesia, however, it is no more of a risk to undergo anesthesia for ECT than it is for a minor surgery. Electroshock Therapy is not recommended for children, elderly patients or those with heart conditions.
