What condition is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) generally used for?

Not convinced this treatment can really be effective.

Player #5621402, My aunt had it in the fifties for a nervous breakdown and it was terrible. Really messed with her head.

two words. Francis Farmer

I know 2 persons suffering from severe depression for whom the treatment is literally a life saver. They do not respond well to drugs and both insist on ECT to alleviate strong suicidal urges. They are both aware that it might cause some lasting damage to memory or cognition but as one of them said " The alternative is worse! "

UnopposedYogi27101, abdolutely, just reminds me of Jack Nickhosen, and,One Flew Over the CooCoo's Nest.Great film of its time. but terriable what they did. And What about Nurse Rachett???

as a paranoid schizophrenic, I've had 50 rounds of ECT and it did help for about 6 months. I'm one of the 50% of people who relapsed within 12 months.

I truly hope that this antiquated treatment is no longer used-not proved to work or even help anyone!

📸 FlashPony714, Her book about her mental health treatment was horrendous! We need better mental health treatments in the USA!

Surely this kind of therapy should be classed as medieval by now?

qualified it's it..?

Anni, it's not typical. hence it's use for "treatment resistant" disorders. over time it's become more humane than when originally practiced. I think I'd rather have ect than a lobotomy

Player Elf Counsel, mine too

Cher67, I believe the dose is much lower now as well

UnopposedYogi27101, great book

It's not a first line treatment. However, patients who don't do well with other treatments can benefit from ECT. It's not accurate to compare ECT now with the past. ECT is now performed under general anesthesia, with fewer side effects.

My father received shock therapy in the mid-sixties. It helped him.