Why ect

Who administers ECT? What happens during ECT? What are the risks and side-effects of ECT? Risks The greatest risk with ECT is associated with the anaesthetic, which has a very small risk of death often quoted as one in , Side-effects Immediate effects of ECT may include: loss of memory about the events immediately before and after ECT heart rhythm disturbances low blood pressure headaches nausea sore muscles, aching jaw confusion.

Generally, these resolve within a few hours, although some memory loss may persist. What is the evidence for the use of ECT? There is strong evidence that ECT is effective in treating severe depression in the short term. Repeated courses of ECT may be considered for individuals with severe depressive illness who have previously responded well to ECT.

ECT is not effective in all cases. Key points. ECT involves passing a carefully controlled electric current through the brain. ECT attracts very mixed responses — its supporters say that it is beneficial and lifesaving, while its critics say that it is invasive and unnecessary. Modern ECT is a safe procedure, which is used to treat the most severe forms of depression including psychotic depression and severe manic symptoms, when the situation is thought to be life-threatening or after all other treatment options have failed.

ECT can reduce severe depressive symptoms more effectively than other treatments. ECT is much safer today. Although ECT may still cause some side effects, it now uses electric currents given in a controlled setting to achieve the most benefit with the fewest possible risks. Electroconvulsive therapy ECT can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat:. ECT may be a good treatment option when medications aren't tolerated or other forms of therapy haven't worked.

In some cases ECT is used:. The ECT procedure takes about five to 10 minutes, with added time for preparation and recovery. ECT can be done while you're hospitalized or as an outpatient procedure. You may receive other medications, depending on any health conditions you have or your previous reactions to ECT.

When you're asleep from the anesthetic and your muscles are relaxed, the doctor presses a button on the ECT machine. This causes a small amount of electric current to pass through the electrodes to your brain, producing a seizure that usually lasts less than 60 seconds. A few minutes later, the effects of the short-acting anesthetic and muscle relaxant begin to wear off. You're taken to a recovery area, where you're monitored for any potential problems.

When you wake up, you may experience a period of confusion lasting from a few minutes to a few hours or more. In the United States, ECT treatments are generally given two to three times weekly for three to four weeks — for a total of six to 12 treatments. Some doctors use a newer technique called right unilateral ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy that's done daily on weekdays. The number and type of treatments you'll need depend on the severity of your symptoms and how rapidly they improve.

You can generally return to normal activities a few hours after the procedure. People with major depression typically first receive antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. These treatments, though often effective, take time to work. This delay can be dangerous for patients whose depression is accompanied by delusions false beliefs or intense suicidal thoughts. ECT can work much more quickly than antidepressants and is useful when patients are at immediate risk for self-injury or suicide.

ECT may also be prescribed when antidepressant medications have not worked. It can be useful for older patients who are unable to tolerate antidepressants and for pregnant women in whom medication might damage the fetus. People suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may also benefit from ECT. Before ECT, patients are asked not to eat or drink from midnight the night before treatment.

During the procedure, the patient receives a short acting anesthetic agent which puts the patient to sleep for approximately minutes. At the time of each treatment a patient is given general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant and electrodes are attached to the scalp at precise locations.

The patient's brain is stimulated with a brief controlled series of electrical pulses. This causes a seizure within the brain that lasts for approximately a minute. The patient is asleep for the procedure and awakens after minutes, much as from minor surgery. Most insurance plans offering coverage for psychiatric disorders at least partially reimburse the cost of ECT. Like any medical procedure, ECT is has some risks.

ECT treatment has been associated with short-term memory loss and difficulty learning. Some people have trouble remembering events that occurred in the weeks before the treatment or earlier. In most cases, memory problems improve within a couple of months. Some patients may experience longer lasting problems, including permanent gaps in memory.

The risks of general anesthesia, which is needed for ECT, are similar to the risks when anesthesia is used for other procedures such as minor surgeries. The most common side effects of ECT on the day of treatment include nausea, headache, fatigue, confusion, and slight memory loss, which may last minutes to hours.