A procedure used to treat depression that involves administering a strong electrical current to the patient's brain. go to glossary index

A therapy, used primarily to treat severe depression, in which an electrical current is passed through the brain for a brief period.

small electrical current administered to the brain through electrodes on the scalp. Induces a seizure that often disrupts major depression. Its mechanism is still not understood.

A treatment that produces a convulsion by passing electric current through the brain. Though an unpleasant and occasionally dangerous procedure, it can be useful in alleviating profound depression.

Use of electrical currents to treat severe depression or other mental health disorders that aren’t responsive to other treatments.

a treatment, primarily for severe depression, in which a convulsion is produced by passing an electric current through the brain. For more, see ECT.

A type of treatment for acute depression wherein the patient is administered a mild electrical shock producing a convulsion or seizure, which accounts for the therapeutic effect. Effective in patients whose depression is resistant to drug therapy or in those who cannot take an antidepressant.

A kind of treatment that is used in contemporary Western psychiatry for severe or refractory mania, psychosis, or depression in which a weak electrical current is passed through the brain when the patient is unconscious under general anesthesia.

A procedure in which an electric current of 70 to 150 volts is briefly administered to a patient's head, causing a loss of consciousness and often seizures electroconvulsive_therapy (278.0K)

the administration of a strong electric current that passes through the brain to induce convulsions and coma

Electrically induced seizures primarily used in the treatment of severe affective disorders, depression and schizophrenia

A form of treatment for severe mania or depression. It can also help people who do not do well with medication.

In ECT a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity is sent through the brain of a person who has been given an anaesthetic and muscle relaxant. This produces a mild seizure or convulsion. It is used for cases of severe mental illness, usually depression, where the patient has not responded to other treatments or medication.The Department of Health has issued strict guidelines on the use of this therapy.

ECT uses a brief electrical shock to cause a short seizure (about 30 seconds) in the brain. Doctors think it works for depression because the seizure releases chemical messengers in the brain, such as norepinephrine and serotonin.

A procedure in which an electric current is briefly applied to produce a seizure. It is used for quick relief of depression symptoms or to ease depression that doesn't respond to other forms of treatment.

Use of electric current applied to the brain to induce convulsive seizures. This form of therapy is most effective in the treatment of major depression, particularly for patients who cannot take medications due to heart conditions, old age, severe malnourishment or inability to respond to antidepressant drugs. An anesthetic and muscle relaxant are used to protect patients from injury or pain. "Electroconvulsive therapy" or "ECT" are the preferred terms over "shock treatment."

Administration of electric current to the brain through electrodes placed on the head in order to induce seizure activity in the brain, used in the treatment of certain mental disorders, especially severe depression; also called electroshock, electroshock therapy.

Also known as "electroshock therapy," ECT is an effective short-term treatment used during severe episodes of mania or depression.

A procedure in which an electric current is passed through the brain to produce controlled convulsions (seizures) to treat patients with depression , particularly for those who cannot take or are not responding to antidepressants, have severe depression, or are at high risk for suicide . Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is believed to act by a massive neurochemical release in the brain due to the controlled seizure. The most common side effect is short-term memory loss, which usually resolves quickly. ECT typically relieves depression within 1 to 2 weeks after beginning treatments. See the entire definition of Electroconvulsive therapy

A treatment in which an electric current is briefly applied to the brain. It is used to quickly relieve depression. It may be used in severe cases or if the depression doesn't respond to other forms of treatment.

(e-lek-tro-kon-vul-siv): A treatment that is occasionally used for serious depression, catatonic schizophrenia, and mania. A convulsion is produced by passing an electric current through the patient's brain while under general anesthesia. ECT is generally limited to cases where medications have not been effective.

A procedure in which an electric current is briefly applied to produce a seizure. This is used for relief of depressive symptoms or to ease depression that is not responding well to other forms of treatment.

The treatment of mental disorder, especially severe depression in which mild convulsions are produced by the passage of electric current through the brain of an anaesthetised person.

A treatment for severe depression in which a mild electric current is applied to the brain, producing a seizure similar to an epileptic convulsion. Also known as electroshock therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock treatment and electroshock therapy, is a controversial medical treatment involving the induction of a seizure in a patient by passing electricity through the brain. Patients with any of several conditions often show dramatic short-term improvement after the procedure. While the majority of psychiatrists believe that properly administered ECT is a safe and effective treatment for some conditions, a vocal minority of psychiatrists, former patients, antipsychiatry activists, and others strongly criticize the procedure as extremely harmful to patients' subsequent mental state.For many statements from the latter group, see Frank (2006).