Electroconvulsive Therapy Research Paper
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Summary of Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is defined as a procedure that involves electrical currents passing through the brain and deliberately producing a seizure (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). ECT is often utilized for mental illnesses, such as depression, when other treatments are found to be ineffective. Often times ECT has a negative connotation of intentionally shocking a patient and causing pain while hoping that they will be cured based on early treatments. However, general anesthesia is now used and the side effects are usually minimal (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012).
Prior to undergoing ECT patients undergo an extensive exam, including past medical history, …show more content…
Agreeing to general anesthesia requires the patient to have diet restrictions prior to ECT and having intravenous (IV) access as well. A nurse will place electrode pads on the patient’s head where the electrical currents will travel through (Mayo). Nurse, anesthesiologists, and doctors will monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the entire procedure to ensure continued safety. The seizure that is induced will be monitored by the increase in brain activity shown on an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). When the ECT is completed patients will be transferred to a recovery room where the patient will continue to be monitored. Patients also may wake up with mild confusion or memory loss that usually resolves the same …show more content…
It opens with a description of the mental illnesses she had, including severe depression, and how after each treatment she felt better and better and was able to normalize her life. She seems to now have a more positive attitude. She does explain that she experiences the memory loss side effect from the treatments but has learned to cope with it in a constructive way and states that the positive outcomes far outweigh the negative (Dukakis & Tye,
Summary of Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is defined as a procedure that involves electrical currents passing through the brain and deliberately producing a seizure (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). ECT is often utilized for mental illnesses, such as depression, when other treatments are found to be ineffective. Often times ECT has a negative connotation of intentionally shocking a patient and causing pain while hoping that they will be cured based on early treatments. However, general anesthesia is now used and the side effects are usually minimal (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012).
Prior to undergoing ECT patients undergo an extensive exam, including past medical history, …show more content…
Agreeing to general anesthesia requires the patient to have diet restrictions prior to ECT and having intravenous (IV) access as well. A nurse will place electrode pads on the patient’s head where the electrical currents will travel through (Mayo). Nurse, anesthesiologists, and doctors will monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the entire procedure to ensure continued safety. The seizure that is induced will be monitored by the increase in brain activity shown on an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). When the ECT is completed patients will be transferred to a recovery room where the patient will continue to be monitored. Patients also may wake up with mild confusion or memory loss that usually resolves the same …show more content…
It opens with a description of the mental illnesses she had, including severe depression, and how after each treatment she felt better and better and was able to normalize her life. She seems to now have a more positive attitude. She does explain that she experiences the memory loss side effect from the treatments but has learned to cope with it in a constructive way and states that the positive outcomes far outweigh the negative (Dukakis & Tye,