What is Electroconvulsive Therapy?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), formerly known as electroshock/electric shock therapy, is a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in patients to provide relief from mental disorders. The ECT procedure was first conducted in 1938 and rapidly replaced less safe and effective forms of biological treatments that were in use at the time. ECT is often used with informed consent as a safe and effective intervention for major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, mania, and catatonia. ECT machines have been placed in the Class III category by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1976.