The Theory of Recovery Psychology/Unit 3/Pt4

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a controversial procedure, although it is a fast acting intervention that is particularly effective. It is used sometimes, when depression is severe, unresponsive to other forms of treatment or characterized by delusions. In an ECT procedure, two electrodes give a patient an electrical shock in each side of the forehead. The current passes through the brain’s frontal lobes. This causes a convulsion, or brain seizure. It is believed by those who support this procedure that it corrects malfunctioning in the brain. Opponents tend to disagree stating that it probably does more harm than good. (Taylor & Carroll, 1987). Some have had great success with this procedure with full recovery from depression, while others have not. This may be why it still remains the subject of controversy.

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