Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is known for its therapeutic benefits and has been used as a psychiatric treatment in America since the early 1940s (Sabbatini, 2007). It uses electricity to induce seizures in patients suffering from mental illnesses in order to relieve them from their symptoms. ECT is most commonly known for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other depressive symptoms, but it is also widely beneficial in treating many other symptoms and diseases including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and it can even help people who are in a catatonic state. ECT is not a life-long treatment, unlike many other psychiatric medications, and does not have the harsh side effects that many of the medications have. The patient is usually administered multiple treatments until they are no longer feeling depressed or …show more content…
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