Sections
Electroconvulsive Therapy: Introduction | History | Indications for ECT | Risks of ECT and Its Use in Patients With Neurological
and Medical Disorders | Pre-ECT Evaluation | ECT Technique | Maintenance Therapy | Future of ECT | Key Points | References | Suggested Readings
Excerpt
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the
electrical induction of a series of seizures as a treatment for mental
disorders, most notably major depression. This chapter covers the
history of ECT; the extent to which it is used; indications; risks;
the evaluation of patients for ECT; ECT technique; the use of ECT
to alleviate episodes of illness (index ECT); management of patients
after completion of the ECT course, including the use of ECT to
prevent relapse (maintenance ECT); and a brief discussion of what
can be expected in the future of this treatment modality. Throughout
the chapter, a particular focus is placed on the use of ECT in the
elderly. With the mean age of individuals referred for ECT increasing,
the importance of ECT in geriatric psychiatry continues to grow.