AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment most commonly used in patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder that has not responded to other treatments. ECT involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.

Detailed explanation-2: -The most commonly used agents for induction are propofol, thiopental, methohexital, etomidate, ketamine, alfentanil and remifentanil. Methohexital is a barbiturate regarded as the “gold standard” anaesthesia for ECT due to its rapid onset and recovery with minimal effect on seizure.

Detailed explanation-3: -Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can provide rapid, significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions. ECT is used to treat: Severe depression, particularly when accompanied by detachment from reality (psychosis), a desire to commit suicide or refusal to eat.

Detailed explanation-4: -Modern day ECT is safe and effective. It can relieve symptoms of the most severe forms of depression more effectively than medication or therapy, but because it is an intrusive procedure and can cause some memory problems, ECT should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Detailed explanation-5: -ECT is used mainly to treat severe depression, but is also indicated for patients with other conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, catatonia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.