Electroconvulsive Therapy: the history, how it works and a look at the anti-ECT movement A presentation by Jennifer C. Long

A Brief History  On Nov. 3, 1933, Manfred Sakel first reported a new treatment he had devised for schizophrenia  In 1934, Ladislas J. von Meduna found that an intramuscular, metrazol injection produced the same effect, but was easier to administer, less observation was required and it took less time overall.  Ugo Cerletti was accredited the most (of all people involved) with the development.

(A Brief History, cont.) Ugo Cerletti  April, 1938: performed first procedure on a human diagnosed with schizophrenia  He found that –the shock to the brain returned a patient to a normal state –it treated acute depression, manic depression and schizophrenia

How it works 1.The patient is anesthetized and given a muscle relaxant 2.Two metal plates, each about the size of a ½ dollar, are covered in gel and placed on the top of the head and the forehead 3.The psychiatrist presses a button to send a current through the brain to produce seizures in the brain. 4.The treatments are usually given 2 – 3 times/week for a period of 2 – 3 weeks.

What does it treat?  Severe depressive episodes  Bipolar Disorder  (schizophrenia – not used to treat this condition so much anymore) –ECT is used when medication and other treatment options have been attempted but nothing has worked.

Side Effects  Short memory loss – usually doesn’t last long  A headache post-procedure

Anti-ECT Movement The anti-ECT movement is basically made up of people who are fighting the use of this treatment. They feel that it is a dangerous and unnecessary practice.  This belief rests on several factors (as based on Dr. Peter R. Breggin’s report): –Seizures are a result of, or indicate brain damage. Therefore, to create a seizure in a person is to cause brain damage. –The spasms created by ECT are worse than those created by grand mal (seizures that cause convulsions) epilepsy. This proves that more damage is being done.

What causes us to fear ECT?  Movies that depict ECT as a horrible and painful experience: –i.e. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Beautiful Mind  The association between electricity and shock leads people to think about punishment and the electric chair.  Knowledge that ECT was originally used quite aggressively. Patients would be given up to 60 treatments with approximately 12 treatments each day.