ECT

Question 1

What will happen whe the patient walks into the room? (ECT depression)

Answer 1

• Lay on the bed in loose clothing
• strapped down
• local anaesthetic
• muscle relaxants

Question 2

What are fixed to to the temples and how? (ECT depression)

Answer 2

Electrodes bilaterally or unilaterally

Question 3

What current is passed through the brain? (ECT depression)

Answer 3

70-130 volts

Question 4

How long is the current passed through the brain? (ECT depression)

Answer 4

0.5 seconds

Question 5

How many times does this treatment happen? (ECT depression)

Answer 5

2-3 times, 3-4 weeks

Question 6

How do they think ECT works? (ECT depression)

Answer 6

Potentially increases hormone levels, changing the pattern of blood across the brain

Question 7

What side effects can occur? (ECT depression)

Answer 7

Memory loss, migraines and cognitive impairments

Question 8

If ECT is combined with deep sleep therapy what can happen? (ECT depression)

Answer 8

• hypoxia - oxygen deficiency

* anoxia - lack of oxygen

Question 9

How effective is ECT? (ECT depression)

Answer 9

Very effective. 15% of patients who have ECT have suicidal thoughts (saves lives)

Question 10

Compare ECT to drugs (ECT depression)

Answer 10

Review of 18 studies from 1,144 patients, showed that ECT is far more effective

Question 11

What did Scott (2004) find? (ECT depression)

Answer 11

None of the ECT trials had been compared to new drugs such as SSRI’s

Question 12

Why is ECT not appropriate? (ECT depression)

Answer 12

Many ethical issues, the DOH recorded 700 patients who received ECT and 59% had not given concent

Question 13

What was ECT previously used to treat? (ECT depression)

Answer 13

Schizophrenia