Electro Convulsive Therapy

Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) has always been a controversial treatment. It is used for sever depression if other treatments have not worked, as well as for other types of mental illness, such as schizophrenia.

How Electro Convulsive Therapy works

There are certain chemical neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, are lowed in depression - though it is not known why. ECT is way of referring the neurotransmitters and restoring a connection between cells. There are two ways of administering Electro Convulsive Therapy. Bilateral ECT involves placing one electrode on each temple, whereas unilateral ECT involves placing two electrodes on one temple.

There is no doubt that the idea of ECT is scary but it may offer a useful form of treatment, particularly for someone who feels suicidal, when other types of treatment have failed.

ECT may be given once or twice a week for 6 to 8 weeks. Although ECT is thought to act on the neurotransmitters in the brain, it is not really understood exactly how it works.

There are many possible side-effects of ECT. In addition, ECT may cause damage to the teeth or mouth.

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