What is a FORCED ELECTROSHOCK, what is it for?

Answer 1

It is electroshock therapy against one's will. It is a type of therapy that is rather barbaric nowadays, but did have a helpful effect on some types of depression. It still goes on in some state hospitals, but is generally regarded as a last resort now.

Answer 2

Electroshock therapy is the process of putting someone under twilight anesthesia, electrically inducing seizures. This is amazingly effective therapy for catatonic depression, acute psychotic episodes and acute manic episodes. I have to give a different opinion than the first answerer, and say that I saw amazing and impressive response, but frequently it took six or eight treatments.

It has gotten a lot of bad press from the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" some years ago, but in real life, since the patients are paralyzed, they don't show outward signs of seizure...some face grimacing only.

Pros include the fact that the side effect profile is remarkable slim, the only side effect being some retrograde memory loss. Many of the anti-psychotic drugs have significant cardiac side effects, and therefore are unsafe for much of the elderly population. When I used to administer it (as a med student) the patient was charged a mere $27/treatment, a bargain even for that day. If I ever get severely depressed, I would rather opt for that treatment than the anti-depressant drugs.

Cons include: Bad press, some memory loss.

Answer 3

Its supposed to re-wire the brain in a way and fix a problem. Doesnt work very well.