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| Electroconvulsive Therapy |  Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the decision for people who suffer from following conditions:
• Severe depression with sleeplessness (trouble sleeping), weight change, feelings of despair or guilt, and thoughts of suicide (hurting or killing yourself) or homicide (hurting or killing another person).
• Severe depression that does not respond to antidepressants or discussion.
• Severe depression in patients who can't use antidepressants.
• Severe mania that does not respond to remedies. Symptoms of severe mania may include talking too much, sleeplessness, weight loss or impetuous behavior.
• Schizophrenia that does not respond to treatment.
The work of ECT
It is believed that ECT works by employing an electrical shock to cause a seizure (a short period of irregular brain activity). This seizure leads to releasing many chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, which are called neurotransmitters, send messages from one brain cell to another. The release of these chemicals influences the brain cells and makes them work better. A person's mood will improve when his or her brain cells and chemical messengers work better.
Preparing for ECT treatment
First, you should undergo physical exam to make sure you're physically able to handle the treatment. If you are, you will meet with an anesthesiologist, a doctor who specializes in giving anesthesia. Anesthesia means that medicine brings you in a sleep-like state. The anesthesiologist will inspect your heart and lungs to see if it is safe for you to have anesthesia. Before your first ECT treatment, you may need to have some blood tests and an electrocardiogram (a test showing the rhythm of your heart).
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