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
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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
A 37-year-old member asked:
After electroconvulsive therapy can he tell me his experience?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Reidbordanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
No: Ect is administered under anesthesia. The person is "asleep" at the time and cannot later report what the actual ECT was like. Also, ECT produces a grand mal seizure, so even without anesthesia, the person would not be conscious at the time. Of course, the person who received ECT could tell about his experience just before and after the treatment itself, and may appreciate your interest.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 8, 2016
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