Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electoconvulsive Therapy is used in cases of mental illness where medications fail to ease the symptoms or may be used in association with other treatment and medications. It is safe, most effective and fastest way to treat symptoms in extremely depressed or suicidal patients.

Symptoms

Electroconvulsive Therapy may be required in the following conditions:

• Severe depression
• Suicidal tendencies
• Clinical depression
• Mania or number of mental illness.
• Catatonia
• Agitation & aggression in patients with dementia

Diagnosis

The diagnostic methods that may be performed before an Electroconvulsive Therapy are:

• Complete blood count
• Serum chemistry
• Urinalysis
• Renal function test
• Neuropsychological / neuroradiological test
• Spinal radiograph
• Specialist consultation
• Electrocardiogram
• Electroencephalogram

Treatment

Under General anesthesia the electrodes are placed  by the doctor at precise locations to pass electric current that causes a brief seizure. There will be no memory of treatment after waking up but sometimes it may feel groggy.

The number of sessions vary with the patient, ranging from 6 to12 sessions over a duration of several weeks.

Risks

The risks involved in an Electroconvulsive Therapy are:

• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Nausea
• Headache
• Jaw pain
• Muscle ache
• Medical complications of anesthesia
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure

After Procedure

Post treatment, it is essential to keep in mind the following:

• Regular exercise with lifestyle change can lower the rate of depression and can change the mood
• Relax and have adequate sleep to lower anxiety & tension