

a weak, erratic pulse or no pulse at all.difficulties in breathing or no breathing at all.Typical symptoms of an electric shock include: If it is safe to do so, disconnect the power supply before trying to help someone with electric shock. incorrect, damaged or deteriorated household wiring.electrical appliances in contact with water.damaged or frayed cords or extension leads.It is important to seek medical attention for mild electric shock to assess whether the heart has been affected. electrical interference or damage (or both) to the heart, which could cause the heart to stop or beat erratically.People sometimes call it electrocution.ĭepending on the length and severity the electric shock, injuries can include: If any part of your body meets live electricity an electric current flows through the tissues, which causes an electric shock. What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)? (2019).Our bodies conduct electricity.

How electroconvulsive therapy works?: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms. Révész, D., et al. (2016). Complications and safety of vagus nerve stimulation: 25 years of experience at a single center.Electroconvulsive therapy: 80 years old and still going strong. Adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. However, TMS is the only technique that researchers have directly compared with ECT, and ECT produced better outcomes for people with depression. Newer neuromodulation techniques, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), can also be effective treatments for severe depression and other mental health conditions. The media has tended to portray ECT in a negative light - for example, in the film version of “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” However, attitudes toward ECT are changing, and people are beginning to view it as an effective treatment for those with mental health conditions that are resistant to medication and therapy.
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As a result, they often received ECT against their will or did not know the full extent of its side effects. Furthermore, when healthcare professionals first introduced ECT, many people did not consent to the therapy. The negative perceptions of ECT originate from previous misuse and the historical lack of consistent administration of general anesthetics or muscle relaxants. While some countries ban its use, others use it widely. They should also try to arrange for someone to stay with them until they go to sleep.Īlthough ECT is an effective treatment, a person will need to continue their medication and receive more ECT sessions to prevent a relapse.ĮCT is one of the oldest and most controversial psychiatric treatments. The frequency and number of sessions will differ among individuals depending on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment.Īfter the session, a person must not drive for 24 hours. A person may receive ECT two or three times a week for a total of between six and 12 sessions.

The ECT team monitors the person’s seizure throughout the procedure with electroencephalography (EEG).Īn ECT session may last for about 1 hour, which includes 15–20 minutes for the procedure and 20–30 minutes of recovery time. The pulse reaches the brain through electrodes on the head and induces a controlled seizure. Doctors may sometimes use ultra-brief pulses, which are under 0.5 ms. The stimulus usually consists of a brief electrical pulse, which is one in the range of 0.5–2.0 milliseconds (ms). They will also place a bite block in the person’s mouth to stop them from biting their tongue. The doctor will then wait for the anesthesia to take effect before they begin the electrical stimulation. When a person receives ECT treatment, a doctor will first administer general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant. Share on Pinterest FangXiaNuo/Getty Images
