ECT First used: in the 1930’s (under the name electroshock) Used for : Mostly for severe depression. Also for mania (bipolar disorder) and catatonia. Today an estimated 1 million people receive ECT every year. Dosage: usually in a course of treatments administered 2 or 3 times a week. Rarely used as a first line of treatment. About 70 percent of ECT patients are women ( women are twice as likely to suffer from depression)

Is it effective? Should only be used as a short-term treatment for an acute illness. (1999, US Surgeon Generals support) 64% of patients relapse within 6 months. (Study from 2004) ^ Relapse percentage is reduced by use of psychiatric medicine or longer periods of ECT. ^ ECT on its own does not have a sustained benefit.

ECT and the patient General physical risk is that the patient is placed under Anaesthesia. Most common adverse effects are confusion and memory loss. Can be tolerated by pregnant, diabetic and obese patients, as well as patients with cancer in remission. It can be used very cautiously on patients with epileptic or neurological disorders.