Who Should Consider Electroconvulsive Therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy is most useful in the treatment of mental health disorders where other therapies, such as medication and psychotherapy, have been ineffective. It can also be used for patients who have unbearable side effects from their medications or who need to rapidly improve their symptoms. It is commonly used when a person is at risk of committing suicide.
Why Is Electroconvulsive Therapy so Controversial?
The controversy of electroconvulsive therapy comes mostly from its early use without anesthesia and the injuries this caused. ECT has been stigmatized in the media and films by its depictions as a brutal and painful therapy. Since its early use, research has improved the treatment and made it more safe and effective for patients.
The controversy of electroconvulsive therapy is also related to the evidence and ethics of the procedure. Some physicians still question the effectiveness of the treatment versus the risks of side effects it can cause. There is documented evidence of it being effective for people who have no other treatment options. However, other studies have shown that relapse of the mental health disorder is common following the procedure. Given that it may not offer a long-term solution, some physicians argue ECT is not worth the risk unless it’s used as a last resort.
A person considering ECT should discuss the risks and benefits with their physician.
Does It Hurt?
Electroconvulsive therapy is not painful because a person receiving ECT is put under anesthesia and given a muscle relaxant. They will not feel anything during the procedure and will not remember the procedure after they wake up. As mentioned earlier, ECT treatment side effects can occur but should resolve within a few hours or days of undergoing the procedure.
Is It Dangerous?
Besides the minor ECT therapy side effects that can occur, there is also a chance of more long-term risks. One long-term effect of ECT is memory loss. This can be short- or long-term, but it usually resolves after treatment. If it does not, it can cause gaps in memory about events that occurred before the procedure.
Despite its effectiveness in many cases, the effects of ECT on the brain are not completely understood. There are many theories about how ECT changes the brain to improve mental health symptoms. These theories state that ECT alters the brain’s electrical wiring, causes new neurons to grow, increases blood flow, changes metabolism or changes chemical levels in the brain. However, much more research is needed to understand how ECT is able to work effectively as a treatment for mental health issues.