Electroconvulsive Therapy

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses electroconvulsive therapy and states that it is a treatment used in mood disorders, especially in the depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The advance of this technique has made it a useful and current option both in the treatment of acute phases and in the prevention of recurrences. The paper confirms that this treatment method has its controversies related to its effectiveness since it has many advantages as well as side effects. This paper discusses the effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of bi-polar disorder.

From the Paper:

"In a Memorandum on the use of ECT produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1977, it was stated that there is substantial empirical evidence that ECT is an effective treatment in case of severe bi-polar disorder. Numerous studies have shown that the patients with depression who received ECT show greater improvement and fewer relapses than those not receiving ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy is frequently recommended for life-threatening mania, unless pharmacological regimens can take effect quickly. Prior to the development of lithium and the neuro-leptics, ECT was the most effective treatment available for the rapid cycling of manic-depressive illnesses and was used quite often.[2] ECT is probably the safest and most effective treatment for major depression with psychotic features and is the treatment of choice for the client suffering concurrently from depression and heart disease, since tri-cyclic antidepressants may activate adrenergic mechanisms in the heart in addition to those in the brain and produce dangerous abnormalities in cardiac rhythm."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Sherman, C. (2000). Adjust dose, schedule to smooth ECT in elderly. Clinical Psychiatry News, 28, 24
• Breeding, J. (2001). Electroshock and informed consent. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 40, 65-79.
• Krystal, A. D., Dean, M. D., Weiner, R. D., & Tramontozzi, L. A., III. (2000). ECT stimulus intensity: Are present ECT devices too limited? American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 963-967.
• Flint, A. J., & Rifat, S. L. (2002). Refractory treatment for recurrent depression in late life. A four-year outcome study. American Journal of Geriatrics Psychiatry 8, 112-116.
• Cohen, D., Taieb, O., Flament, M., Benoit, N., Chevret, S., Corcos, M., Fossati, P., Jeammet, P., Allilaire, J. F., & Basquin, M. (2000). Absence of cognitive impairment at long-term follow-up in adolescents treated with ECT for severe mood disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 460-462.

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