ECT

ECT electroconvulsive therapy.

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ECT

abbr.

electroconvulsive therapy

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ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy sometimes is used to treat depression or mania when pharmaceutical treatment fails.

Mentioned in: Bipolar Disorder

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ECT,

abbreviation for electroconvulsive therapy.

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electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) [e-lek″tro-kon-vul´siv]

a treatment for mental disorders in which an electric current is used to produce convulsions. It is used primarily to treat depression or the depressive phase of bipolar disorder; it has also been used to treat some forms of schizophrenia and acute mania. This method does not provide the patient with any insight; therefore antidepressants are the treatment of first choice for depressed persons. However, those who do not respond to medication or are unable to take it often experience dramatic improvement after electroconvulsive therapy. Formerly called electroshock therapy.

The procedure begins with administration of an intravenous anesthetic such as methohexital or thiopental to induce general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant such as succinylcholine to prevent a peripheral seizure that could carry the risk of bodily injury. Electric current is then applied unilaterally to the brain through an electrode placed on the skull. The goal is to produce a seizure in the central nervous system without causing any of the frightening manifestations of a grand mal seizure; modern techniques using EEG recordings while administering ECT make this possible. Side effects occasionally include acute confusional state upon recovery from general anesthesia, which may last up to an hour. There may be a loss of memory, particularly of recent events. Basic principles of preoperative and postoperative nursing care apply.

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ECT

electroconvulsive therapy.

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ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy, see there

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Patient discussion about ECT.

Q. What are the side effects of electroconvulsive therapy for depression? My sister is about to have electroconvulsive therapy for treating her severe depression. Is this method safe to use? What are the side effects?

A. I have been ob a cocktail of meds; I feel like a lab rat. Never to say any one helped;except zanax,however that's just covered up the feeling not to think about the depression when I awake. I had a phys...for over ten years. My phys...tried at least twelve diff...meds...:"I'm pisseed " I'm A GOOD LOOKING GUY,WOROuK OUT PEOPLE SAY WOW YOU LOOK GREAT" "I feel like a mess" compliments are nice,and believe me i'm not trying to build my outer aperance up. "Working out is a grat,but when that done,what else is there to do?

Q. What is the ECT method of treatment for depression? I have a friend who is suffering from major depression and is now about to start ECT treatment. What exactly is that?

A. ECT is the electroshock therapy for treating severe depression that does not heal with medication trials. In this treatment, an electric shock is induced, in levels that are not by any means risking the patient’s life. It has been proven to be of great effectiveness in people with refractory depression (meaning that drugs no longer have a therapeutic effect) and is saved as a “last resort”.

Q. HOW CAN ENERGIES AFFECT THE HEALING OF THE BODY?CHI, ELOPTIC, YOU'R SEVEN SHOCKERS ECT POSITIVE OR NEGITIVE? ENERGIES WE EXPRESS AND RECIEVE TO AND FROM OTHERS

A. Chinese medicine and alternatives should be approached with caution, but that said, a modality that has been around for over 3,000 years must have benefits. The practitioner may possibly be a bit more suspect. Then again, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you haven’t any experience with it, how can one have a legitimate opinion?
Remember, a hundred years ago, our very own “Doctors” cured with leaches and such… it wasn’t until they pooled their resources together and lobbied the government for the right to the name of “Doctor or Medical Practitioner”. That’s it. No science, just lobbying the politicians….