Electroconvulsive therapy (popularly known as electroshock); life of patients with mental health problems Cuckoo, Mind Games seen in movies like Although the treatment of the patient by giving electrical stimulation to the brain in the movies gives the impression that this treatment method is very old and no longer used, the reality is not so. Today it is still used in its modernized form in the treatment of many diseases.

This method, which is more commonly used in chronic illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, is generally drugs and therapies are not effective It is used as a last resort in patients.

Who first thought of giving electrical stimulation to the brain, when and how?

Like many treatment methods in psychology, this method is also: by chance had been discovered. Portuguese psychiatrist Ladislas Meduna; In 1934, patients who were psychiatric patients and had seizures after an attack He noticed that he was getting better. He also decided to activate the attacks to see if the effect was due to the attack. While trying this in several ways, he realized that a stimulant, Metrazol, caused seizures at high doses. Indeed, in his experiments, patients who had seizures on Metrazol had reduced symptoms. This is how the first step was taken in stimulating and treating the brain.

In 1937 the Swiss psychiatrist Max Müller turned to pharmacological convulsive therapy (inducing seizures by giving Metrazol). first international conference organized. As the conference progressed, the side effects of the drug began to be discussed. The drug used to trigger seizures caused patients to worry before the seizure, and the stimulation from the drug was so severe it could cause vertebral fractures. These side effects have prompted psychiatrists to seek alternative ways to trigger seizures.

Italian neurologist Ugo Cerletti, on the other hand, started trying the same thing in dogs when he saw the butcher in a butcher shop give pigs electric shocks and stun them. In his experiments, he realized that an electric shock had the effect of Metrazol. Thus ECT was born.

It is the last method of treatment for diseases such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Although it was tried on all mental patients when the ECT (Electroconvulsator) machine was used, it is more common today. depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder used in patients. It is the most effective method, especially in severe depression.

Studies have shown that in patients who recovered with ECT, 80% of patients relapsed within 10 weeks after the ECT was discontinued. It appears that this treatment method is used annually in one million patients worldwide. The reason why it is so widely used may be that it shortens the hospital stay of the patients and gives results in a short time.

It is administered to patients under anesthesia.

Accompanied by mental health specialists in many mental health and illness hospitals Can be applied in 5 minutes In this procedure, the patient is placed on a stretcher and then anesthetics are administered that relax the muscles and put the patient to sleep. Two electrodes are then placed on the patient’s forehead for electrical stimulation of the brain. Then these two electrodes electric current in rhythmic seconds is given. This whole process takes 5 minutes. In order to intervene immediately in the event of a possible accident, mental health professionals wait for 15-20 minutes with the patient after this procedure and wait for the patient to wake up.

Fear not, ECT does not cause permanent memory loss.

Studies have shown that ECT to brain damage There is no scientific evidence why. Rarely occurs memory defects However, it has been observed to disappear completely within a year.

Bonus: Can ECT Be Used to Clear Memory?

Although it sounds good to clear the memory ECT is not a memory clearing technique and cannot be used for this procedure. However, the most important thing is to face our memories and see them as bad memories from the past. Only in this way can you achieve the healing you want.

Sources: 1, 2, 3,