Electroshock therapy?

Question

Does anyone know anyone who has had this? Has it been at all useful? What are the side effects?

Answer 1

I've anesthetized people for this procedure.  It's actually called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and is used in cases of depression or catatonia, when all other therapies fail.

Patients are completely anesthetized and paralyzed for the 5 minutes or so it takes to do the procedure.

They do series of treatments, usually 2-3 times per week for 10-12 sessions.  I've seen patients start out unresponsive, and turn into fairly functional people.  It doesn't work for everybody, but for some, it works well.

Answer 2

Electroshock therapy (ECT) is used primarily in the treatment of depression.  It has a remarkably high success rate, though it does typically require multiple sessions.  The only notable side effect of ECT is memory loss for the period leading up to and immediately following treatment.  Modern patients are given sedatives prior to treatment to reduce physical seizures, making the treatment much safer than its historical forms.