Electroconvulsive therapy as in electric shock therapy being applied to individuals who suffer severe and potentially suicidal depression, and for cases of bipolar disorder that resist antimanic medications.
Isn't it more detrimental to the patients than beneficial?
Doesn't it make the patient into the 'vegetative' state, so that the patient can no longer kill himself/herself?
Are there other solutions to curing severe depression?
Are there other solutions to curing severe bipolar disorder?
2006-06-28 16:58:06 · 4 answers · asked by matarese_666 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
ECT is used as a last resort for severe bipolar and schizophrenic patients as a last resort when medications are no longer helping the individual. Although it has been portrayed in movies like "one flew over the coocoo's nest" in a negative fashion, it does not leave the patient in a vegetative state. Medications for bipolar and shizophrenia work on the neurotransmitter system in the brain. Depending on the individual, there is either problems with the dopamine reuptake in neurons or an excess of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. The best way to understand how neurotransmitters work is by looking at the effects of street drugs like esctasy or acid (LSD) that cause hallucinations etc... It is the best a normal person can do, to understand somewhat what patients with these problems experience on a regualr basis when they are not on medication. What ECT does, is send an electric shock to a certain portion of the brain causing an epeleptic episode that for some reason; reboots the neurons and their chemicals. Ect is not used only to cure suicide thoughts, although suicide is commorbid with bipolar disorder. The good effects of Ect can last for years or as little a six months. As for other modes of curing depression, again it depends on the patient. For mild forms of depression, cognitive therapy can be applied. Most often and for the best results cognitive therapy is coupled with anti-depressants. Again current research suggests that depression is caused by a decrease in serotnin or dopamine neurotransmitters. However more research must be done to find out if it is a cause or an effect of depression. As for bipolar disorder, there is no cure, but the proper medication and dose along with therapy can allow a person to experience normal life and functioning. I hope that answers your question, feel free to ask more.
2006-06-28 17:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by Valerie S 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At one time not long ago, only one doctor in one city(Cincinnati) was licensed to do ECT. The answer to your first ? is yes primarily because the answer to your second is (rarely but sometimes)yes. It's still the least desirable option but has had a resurgence for severe depression.
2006-06-29 00:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by sercher4truth 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it is stil used........i work on an inpatient psych unit and we use it for people wh are seriously depressed......... detrimental? well everything has risks and it can be detrimental.......and no if used properly it should not put people into vegatative states......other solutions?.........yes but it all depends on the individual person and their doctor
2006-06-30 18:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by timore_nessun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-07-05 12:51:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋