Electroshock Therapy

Depression, a small word, but certainly one that can take you to the depths of nothingness!

Its History

This therapy was discovered by an Italian neurologist named Ugo Cerletti in 1938. The discovery of electroshock therapy took place when Cerletti observed that pigs about to be slaughtered were electrocuted to make them unconscious so that the process became easier. Cerletti felt that this procedure could also be applied to human beings who suffered from mental illness.

Electroshock therapy was introduced to the United States a year since the discovery was made. Electroshock therapy was used to treat thousands of patients suffering from a variety of conditions including schizophrenia, depression and even homosexuality.

Electroshock Therapy

Basically electroshock therapy or electroconvulsive therapy is a medical procedure that is used in order to treat mental illness. In this procedure short bursts of electricity are administered to a patient’s brain.

Electroshock Therapy - Who is electroshock therapy for?

This therapy is for people who suffer from :

• Mania that has not been cured with medications
• Severe depression also accompanied by suicidal tendencies, psychosis and refusal to consume food
• Schizophrenia when the symptoms are severe or the medicines are not enough to deal it

Before Electroshock Therapy

Before the therapy, you would have to go in for a complete physical examination which also includes blood tests and an electrocardiogram along with a psychiatric evaluation. You might also be required to consult the anesthesiologist in order to access the risks associated with having anesthesia.

At this stage, you will also have to sign consent forms authorizing the use of electroshock therapy. In case you are unable to provide the consent the local or state laws may allow the appointment of a legal guardian who can approve the therapy on your behalf.

During Electroshock Therapy

The electroconvulsive therapy does not take much time and may be performed as an outpatient procedure or while you are hospitalized, with both the cases above requiring brief general anesthesia.

An examination to check your heart and lungs may be done before the procedure, after which an intravenous catheter is inserted in your hand or arm. This is used to provide medications or fluids to your body. Various monitors that constantly check your blood pressure, heart and oxygen use are also installed in the room.

Now the doctor places electrode pads on your head! Remember that electroshock therapy can be unilateral (only one side of the brain is subject to electricity) or it can be bilateral (in which both the sides receive electrical currents.)

After Electroshock Therapy

I am sure that you will be relieved to know that most people begin to notice an improvement after two or three treatments. Though, full improvements do take a longer time.

Of course do remember that you might have to carry on with your treatment even after the symptoms improve in order to prevent it from recurring. This treatment is known as maintenance therapy and may include psychiatric medicine, psychotherapy or antidepressants.

Risks and Side Effects of Electroshock Therapy

It is important to remember that electroshock therapy is generally safe. But like all treatments, this one also involves a little risk and a few side effects, which have been listed below.

• Loss of Memory
  Electroshock therapy can affect the memory in more ways than one. For example, you may have trouble recalling events that occurred before the treatment, this condition is known as retrograde amnesia. In most of the people who suffer from retrograde amnesia, the obscurity goes on for weeks and months leading on to the treatment. The memory problems mentioned usually improve within a few months.
• Cognitive Impairment
  After the electroshock therapy you might experience a period where you do not know where you are or the reason you are there. This confusion is because of the impairment in your thought process and lasts for a few minutes to many hours. Do not worry because this impairment usually goes away once the treatment is over!
• Other Problems
  Nausea, vomiting, headache and muscle/jaw pain are some of the physical problems you may experience on the days you have your electroshock therapy. These are minor problems and are dealt with effectively with the use of medications.