A 40-year-old member asked:
What is electroconvulsive therapy?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ankush Bansalanswered
Internal Medicine 16 years experience
Resetting brain: Ect is a controlled therapy in which electrical shocks are introduced into both temples to "reset' the brain. A brief seizure is induced to reset the brain. The hope is that the neurotransmitters in the brain will be released in the right ratios to "fix" depression.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Foxanswered
Psychiatry 16 years experience
Treats depression: Ect treats depression - about 60% of those who receive treatment are not depressed at the end of treatment. During the procedure, patient's are put to sleep and paralyzed for about 5 minutes. During this time, an electrical signal causes a seizure which lasts from 20 sec to 2 min. Upon waking, there is some disorientation lasting up to 15 to 30min. Memory loss depends on electrode placement.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 32-year-old member asked:
What is the experience of electroconvulsive therapy?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Foxanswered
Psychiatry 16 years experience
Varies: Ect treats depression - about 60% of those who receive treatment are not depressed at the end of treatment. During the procedure, patient's are put to sleep and paralyzed for about 5 minutes. During this time, an electrical signal causes a seizure which lasts from 20 sec to 2 min. Upon waking, there is some disorientation lasting up to 15 to 30min. Memory loss depends on electrode placement.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
What are the benefits of electroconvulsive therapy?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lawrence Smithanswered
Clinical Psychology 32 years experience
Symptom relief: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has improved significantly since its initial development in 1938. It is considered safe and effective, according the the national institute of mental health. The procedure is not painful and patients do not feel any discomfort. The benefits: likely remission of severe depression or other symptoms, and reduced relapse with follow-up treatments.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Is electroconvulsive therapy effective?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Goldieanswered
Pediatric Neurology 50 years experience
In severe cases: Electroshock therapy is considered as a last ditch treatment for severe depression. It is still available in special centers, but is highly regulated. When done properly, it can have remarkable benefit. If done poorly, is a major problem. Refer to one flew over the cuckoo's nest!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
What is electroconvulsive therapy? How does it work?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Electroconvulsive Tx: Electroconvulsive Therapy uses electrical current to change brain chemistry through seizure activity to treat mood disorders.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Are there risks of electroconvulsive therapy?
6 doctor answers • 17 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Foxanswered
Psychiatry 16 years experience
Several risks: Anesthesia carries a risk including allergy and cardiac arrest but no more so than any other procedure. Ect risks include headache, short term disorientation, and memory impairment. This may be mitigated by electrode placement. Right unilateral has very little memory impairment & recovery is quicker. Some degree of memory loss is common with bilateral placement & may be significant.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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