Ethical Concerns of Electroconvulsive Therapy

When psychotherapy fails, often times other medically oriented measures are needed to address the mental problems of those suffering with more severe disorders. These types of therapies are known as somatic therapy and include a number of different approaches including pharmacotherapy, psychosurgery, and electroconvulsive therapy. Almost all the time these therapeutic measures are administered in a psychiatric hospital as opposed to the offices of psychologists.

One of the most controversial methods of somatic therapy is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In this form of treatment, a 150 volt electrical current is passed through the brain for a little less than one-second at a time. This is mostly used to treat patients suffering with major forms of depression for which psychotherapy alone proves ineffective in curing. The current triggers a convulsion and causes the patient to lose consciousness for a short period of time. Muscle-relaxers and sedatives are give to the patient to soften the physical effects of the electrical current. Typically, treatment is dealt in a series of six to eight sessions over a span of three to four weeks.

It's not the shock itself that does anything, but rather the seizure that follows that is alleged to provide relief. The shock induced seizures alter the biochemical and hormonal balance in the brain and body, bringing an end to severe depression and potentially suicidal behavior. This has led to much skepticism amongst mental health professionals though. Some contend that ECT doesn't really have any positive effects, but rather confuses the patients so they have trouble remembering why they were depressed to begin with.