1. Unlike in Movies, ECT Does Work
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often depicted in films and popular culture as an extremely archaic and disruptive form of psychological therapy that does little for the patients except make them into vegetables. Movies like "One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" help spread popular but misguided notions about this therapeutic treatment. Realistically ECT is still used for individuals with severe mood disruptions, like severe depression or schizophrenia, and it can have impressive results when used by a skilled physician.
2. Extreme Depression Warrants Extreme Treatment
Some individuals suffering from severe depression find that electroconvulsive therapy is the only method of treatment to quell the despair that often permeates their lives. Individuals who do not respond to antidepressants or cannot even muster the emotional strength to endure therapy find that ECT is a helpful form of treatment. It allows them to develop enough emotional and psychological strength to continue living.
3. Pain Is Not Part of the Procedure
ECT is administered by placing an electrode on two to three sides of the brain, typically the temples or the temples and the forehead. Patients are given a drug called succinylcholine, which renders them temporarily paralyzed to prevent seizure. A small current is passed through the electrode into the electrical centers of the brain. The body is totally relaxed by the succinylcholine so the patient feels no physical sensation during the procedure. The patient breaths pure oxygen through a mask, and the current is administered for 1 to 3 seconds. The whole process typically ranges between 15 and 30 minutes.
4. Electrical Stimuli Has Some Side Effects
ECT seems to work primarily through delivering an electrical stimulus to the brain. The patient typically has a small seizure, which is perfectly normal given the electrical stimulus. It then causes a reorientation of electrical currents in the brain system that allows for depressive tendencies to lessen because of the charge from the current. Some risks are involved in ECT therapy, especially in regards to an individual's seizure threshold. Men typically have larger thresholds than women, making them better able to sustain higher and more frequent treatments. Cognitive impairment, memory loss and effects on brain structure have occurred in patients that have bilateral or two-sided electrode placement as opposed to those who have unilateral or one-sided electrode placement.
5. Therapy and Medication Supplement ECT Effectively
While ECT therapy can be very effective for patients with severe depression, it is often only effective for about 6 months before a follow-up treatment must be administered. ECT patients find that follow-up treatment with psychotherapy and antidepressant medication is especially helpful in maintaining a strong healthy foundation and reaping the full benefits of the treatment. While the procedure sounds distressing, patients often find that the benefits of the treatment far outweigh the negatives if administered by a responsible medical professional. Consult a physician to discuss the risks and benefits of electroconvulsive therapy.
