Electroconvulsive therapy: 80 years of use in psychiatry

Psychiatrikē = Psychiatriki
S C KalioraG N Papadimitriou

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the oldest among the early biological treatments introduced in psychiatry, and the only one still in use. In this paper we attempt a brief presentation of ECT usage over the last 80 years, since it was originally introduced. It is a safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective treatment option for major psychiatric disorders, such as mood disorders and schizophrenia, especially when there is an acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms or if catatonic symptoms are prominent. ECT has also been used successfully for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, delirium, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, autism and agitation and depression in demented patients. There are no absolute contraindications. However, it is considered a high risk procedure for patients with increased intracranial pressure, recent myocardial infarction, recent cerebral hemorrhage or stroke, vascular aneurysm, retinal detachment and pheocromocytoma. Modern genetic and neuroimaging techniques have helped clarify possible mechanisms of action of ECT, but much remains unknown. Improvement of this method through a number of technical advancements has contributed in the reduction of side effects. Thus, modified ECT is currently considered ...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 21, 2020·Nursing·Lisa A Ruth-SahdElizabeth Shreve
Aug 25, 2020·Der Anaesthesist·T NinkeP Groene

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