Safety

When all else fails, treatment-resistant depression can be especially debilitating: it is associated with recurring depressive episodes, higher risk of suicide, and a greater amount of hospitalizations. For those who fail ≥ 2 gold-standard antidepressants or otherwise have a need for rapid improvement, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be the solution. ECT (in its modern sense) has been used for more than 90 years, but the persisting stigma and media portrayal related to treatment procedures mean it is rarely used in clinical treatments – even though it could help many recover from even persistent depression. This review article examines myths and facts about ECT, including its current use, safety, and side effects.