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A 38-year-old member asked:
What are the usual effects of electroconvulsive therapy?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Foxanswered
Psychiatry 16 years experience
Positive & Negative: Ect is reserved for the most severe cases. ~ 60% will go into remission, ~20% will respond some, & ~20% will not improve. 50% will relapse in 6mos. Most common immediate side effect is headache. Memory impairment is the most serious side effect but is mitigated by electrode placement. Right unilateral (RUL) is as effective as traditional bilateral placement, but memory is much less affected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Singeranswered
Pediatric Neurology 53 years experience
ECT: Electroconvulsive therapy is used to treat intractable depression. It aims to reset the brain to a more normal state in those areas contributing to depression. After ECT most individuals experience variable degrees and length of memory loss, emotional flattening, and even confusion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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