What Is Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect)?

ECT meaning relates to a procedure in which small amounts of electricity are passed through the brain. This treatment can be used for people who suffer from severe depression and other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. It's also referred to as Electroshock Therapy or ECT. In this blog post, we will discuss ECT in detail so that you can decide whether it's right for you.

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An Overview of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive Therapy works by sending electrical currents through the brain while the patient is under anesthesia to induce seizure activity in the brain. It can reduce depressive symptoms, making it a suitable treatment option for patients who do not respond to drug therapy or medication. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) can be used in cases of:

• Severe depression
• Catatonia
• Severe mania
• Aggression or agitation in dementia patients
• Treatment-resistant depression

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How Do You Get Ready?

After knowing the ECT meaning, you'll need a comprehensive examination before your first ECT therapy, which commonly includes:

1. Previous medical history
2. Complete physical examination 
3. Psychiatric evaluation
4. Some blood tests
5. An electrocardiogram (ECG) to examine your heart health

Risks

Although ECT is typically safe, there are certain dangers and adverse effects you must be aware of:

1. Confusion

Disorientation after treatment can last anywhere from just a few moments to many hours. You may have no idea where and why you are. Disorientation and confusion can linger several weeks or longer in rare cases. It is more common in senior citizens.

2. Physical side effects

Most people report nausea, migraine, jaw discomfort, or muscular soreness on the days after an ECT therapy. Usually, medications are given to address them.

3. Memory loss

Several patients have problems recalling events that happened just before therapy or, in some cases, even days or months before the treatment. Retrograde amnesia is the medical term for this disorder.

4. Medical issues

There are side issues with every sort of medical operation, especially one that requires anaesthesia—cardiac rate or blood pressure rise during ECT, which might cause significant heart issues in rare circumstances.

 What Can You Expect?

Before the operation

• As a pre-requisite for general anaesthesia, you might be asked to have no water or food after midnight 
• There will be a quick physical examination to see if your heart and lungs are working normally.
• An intravenous (IV) line will be placed into your hand or arm to provide drugs or fluids.
• Electrode pads are placed on your head. The pads are approximately the size of silver dollars.

Medication

• Anesthesia to make you unconscious
• A muscle relaxant to assist limit the seizures and avoid harm
• Additional drugs based on any health concerns and your initial responses to ECT.

The Bottom Line

Electroconvulsive Therapy is a psychiatric treatment that uses an electric current to trigger controlled seizures to treat patients with mental illness. After almost six ECTs, most patients see an improvement in symptoms.