What is status of Electroconvulsive therapy today? Part 1

After nearly 30 years of extensive use, there is no doubt that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is beneficial in the treatment of some patients with depression. However, the use of ECT in schizophrenia, mania or other mental health disorders is in limbo.

The majority of studies of ECT on mania and schizophrenia are difficult to interpret and the results remain inconclusive. Today, ECT is not a part of the therapeutic regimen of these disorders, except for a few isolated cases.

A lot of evidence exists which shows that ECT is a good form of therapy for individuals with depression. In many instances it has even been shown to be more effective than the conventional drug therapy using anti depressants. Over the years, psychiatrists have learnt that entire brain stimulation produces significantly much better results than stimulating only one half of the brain. Further, like all things American, more is better- meaning that a higher current produces better and long lasting results than use of low current.

In the past, individuals who received ECT were never thoroughly investigated or followed up. Misconceptions of the treatment arose because of anecdotal reports by patients and non health care professionals. The background of the patient, his/her co morbidity, personality, use of medications and other medical problems were never taken into account and everything negative was blamed on ECT.

Further during the evolution of the treatment many of the psychiatrists also failed to maintain safeguards to protect the patient. Infact for the major part of the history of ECT it was felt that the treatment created monsters. Today a lot has changed.