ELECTRO-CONVULSIVE THERAPY

Electro-Convulsive therapy (ECT) also called shock therapy is a useful treatment especially in severe forms of depression and in those where other treatments have been unsuccessful. This form of treatment is also the one which is most misunderstood and carries an image of torture and excessive force. The truth however, is that induces a convulsion – the patient does not feel anything as he has been given general anaesthesia. The treatment is safe for most patient, and improvement starts almost immediately. Unlike popular misconception, the treatment does not produce any brain damage or permanent loss of memory. CT Scan and M.R.I. Scan studies have shown that ECT does not produce any brain damage. In a few cases recent memory may be temporarily affected which is reversible. In cases of attempted suicide, ECT’s are a life saving measure. A course of 6 to 10 ECT’s are given.