Convulsive therapy turns 75.

The Origins of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Prior to the 1930s, the prime mode of treatment for psychiatric outpatients was psychoanalysis. Little could be done for inpatients, other than provide sedation and social support. In the 1930s, four major somatotherapies, all interventionist in technique, were developed: insulin coma therapy, Metrazol convulsive therapy, lobotomy (psychosurgery), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the only o...

Intensified Electrical Convulsive Therapy in a Military Hospital

The mode of action of electro-convulsive therapy.

Differentiation of convulsive syncope from epilepsy with an implantable loop recorder

INTRODUCTION Not all convulsive episodes are due to epilepsy and a number of these have a cardiovascular cause. Failure to identify these patients delays the provision of adequate therapy while at the same time exposes the individual to the risk of injury or death. METHODS We report on three patients who suffered from recurrent convulsive episodes, thought to be epileptic in origin, who were ...

Electro Convulsive Therapy in Pre-pubertal Catatonia: a Case Study

Depression in prepubertal age group is a relatively rare condition. The presence of life threatening catatonic features call for aggressive treatment. Electro convulsive therapy (ECT) has been described to be effective in these circumstances; however, doubts have been raised about its safety profile. This present case study illustrates the efficacy and safety of ECT in prepubertal catatonia.