Electroconvulsive Therapy(ECT)

Anna ThumIB Psychology

What is Electroconvulsive Therapy?

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which electric currents are passed through the brain, deliberately triggering a brief seizure. This seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can alleviate symptoms of certain mental illnesses. (Mayo Clinic, 2008)

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Why is ECT important?

• In some cases ECT can be the only working treatment for mental disorders.

• It can help someone who is severely ill recover quickly and almost completely.

• It has much controversy about the ethical considerations taken when ECT is

used to treat a patient.

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What is ECT used for?

• ECT is used to treat:– Severe depression that can not be treated

with drugs– Bi-polar affective disorder– Schizophrenia

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How frequently is ECT used?

• Today, ECT is only used under the most extreme of circumstances such as:– No response to any other treatment– When treatment must be administered as fast as possible

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What are the side effects of ECT?

• ECT can have some side effects ranging in seriousness. Some of these include:

– Headaches– Muscle pain

– Nausea– Amnesia– Stroke– Death

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What are some ethical problems and considerations with ECT?

• The side effects of ECT can be extremely unpleasant or negatively impact a person’s quality of life• ECT may cause brain damage• It is unethical to withhold ECT treatment from someone if it could save their life• Many patients are not fully informed and therefore shouldn’t consent to the procedure

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Can ECT be found in the media?

• ECT can be seen in the movies:– One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest– Girl, InterruptedECT can alsobe found on theinternet, and othermedia resources

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Where can I go if I need help with a mental problem?

• Friends Hospital4641 Roosevelt Blvd.Philadelphia, PA 19124-2399 1-800-889-0548

• Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment4200 Monument RoadPhiladelphia, PA 19131

(215) 877-2000

• CORA Services Inc.8540 Verree Road

Philadelphia, PA 19111215-342-7660

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ReferenceMayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/electroconvulsive-therapy/my00129Mental Health Foundation. (2000). Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Retrieved from

http://www.mhf.org.uk/information/mental-health-a-z/electroconvulsive-therapy/#UsedWeiner, R. (2003). Ethical Considerations with Electroconvulsive Therapy. Retrieved from

http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2003/10/oped2-0310.htmlReisner, A.D. (2004). The Electroconvulsive Therapy Controversy: Evidence and Ethics. Retrieved

from http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=n385863uut158357&size=largest

ECT.org (2006). Patient Info and Informed Consent. Retrieved from http://www.ect.org/category/information-electroconvulsive-therapy/patient-info-and-informed-consent/

CORA Services Inc. (2010) Contact information retrieved from http://www.coraservices.org/Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. (2010). Contact information retrieved from

http://www.einstein.edu/facilities/belmont/article9780.htmlFriends Hospital. (2010). Contact information retrieved from http://www.friendshospital.com/