Electroconvulsive Therapy Essay
vulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat depression. Depression is the primary illness that ECT is often used to treat; however, people with a psychiatric emergency of catatonia, mania, and bipolar disorder may benefit from ECT as well. The title of the procedure basically explains its purpose and process. ECT uses electricity to cause a slight seizure to help treat depression, catatonia, and bipolar disorder. To be approved for ECT, the patient must have exhausted other treatment and the effects were unwanted or unsuccessful. The patient must also be medically stable to handle the induced seizures. Additionally, ECT is appropriate for patient that are severely depressed to the point of suicide ideation/attempt …show more content…
Patients may have the procedure inpatient or outpatient depending on the severity of the patient’s diagnosis and response to first treatment. Patients tend to have their first 3 treatment within a week and stay in the hospital (inpatient). After the first three treatment, the patient may return once or twice a month for other treatments, commonly known as maintenance treatments. It is important to note that ECT does not cure depression. The symptoms may return years later and a second set of treatments is needed. Generally, patients may feel better after 4 to 5 treatment. Family members and friends often see the results before the patients realizes they are getting …show more content…
Unfortunately, ECT may not work for every depressed patient. Research suggest that ECT works in seventy percent of depressed cases. There are two ways to place the electro probes on the patient’s head, unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral, one side of the brain, is most common because the success rate of less memory loss is high. Memory loss is a common side effect of ECT; whether short term or long term, memory loss will more than likely occur. Other side effects include: headaches, nausea, muscle soreness, and confusion. As with any surgical procedure, there is a chance of death. The chances of death are 1 in 10,000 for
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat depression. Depression is the primary illness that ECT is often used to treat; however, people with a psychiatric emergency of catatonia, mania, and bipolar disorder may benefit from ECT as well. The title of the procedure basically explains its purpose and process. ECT uses electricity to cause a slight seizure to help treat depression, catatonia, and bipolar disorder. To be approved for ECT, the patient must have exhausted other treatment and the effects were unwanted or unsuccessful. The patient must also be medically stable to handle the induced seizures. Additionally, ECT is appropriate for patient that are severely depressed to the point of suicide ideation/attempt …show more content…
Patients may have the procedure inpatient or outpatient depending on the severity of the patient’s diagnosis and response to first treatment. Patients tend to have their first 3 treatment within a week and stay in the hospital (inpatient). After the first three treatment, the patient may return once or twice a month for other treatments, commonly known as maintenance treatments. It is important to note that ECT does not cure depression. The symptoms may return years later and a second set of treatments is needed. Generally, patients may feel better after 4 to 5 treatment. Family members and friends often see the results before the patients realizes they are getting …show more content…
Unfortunately, ECT may not work for every depressed patient. Research suggest that ECT works in seventy percent of depressed cases. There are two ways to place the electro probes on the patient’s head, unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral, one side of the brain, is most common because the success rate of less memory loss is high. Memory loss is a common side effect of ECT; whether short term or long term, memory loss will more than likely occur. Other side effects include: headaches, nausea, muscle soreness, and confusion. As with any surgical procedure, there is a chance of death. The chances of death are 1 in 10,000 for