My doctor has recommended Electroconvulsive therapy for me? Is it safe?

Unlike the olden days, ECT is a lot safer and is a bona fide treatment for depression. Unfortunately, the treatment is surrounded by many myths chiefly because of ignorance. ECT does have a few side effects but complications are rare. Today, it is very rare to see someone with fractured bones and heart attacks after ECT therapy.

The most common side effects seen today in individuals undergoing ECT include:

Mental confusion: After ECT is completed; most individuals will develop some degree of mental confusion and clouding. The degree of confusion is variable but it is quite obvious in most people. After therapy, the majority of individuals will appear to have limitations in concentration and awareness. These side effects may last anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. The majority, however, do recover within the first 24 hours. One should be aware that with more ECT treatments, this period of mental clouding does get prolonged. However, in all cases the condition does improve with time. The mental confusion may vary from mild agitation to varying degrees of mental confusion.

Memory loss is common after ECT. Immediately after ECT, most individuals will have memory loss. The degree of memory loss is quite variable and will often last a few weeks to a few months. Individuals will have difficulty remembering events, dates or family members. The most significant finding is that most patients will have loss of short-term memory leading up to the procedure. In most cases, the memory loss does recover with time. While the majority of individuals fully recover from the memory loss, a few percentage of individuals have permanent memory loss.

Heart and Blood Pressure: Because ECT involves the release of neurochemicals from the brain; some of these chemicals may cross into the peripheral circulation. The potent excitatory chemicals can affect various organs, notably the heart. Individuals who a have a history of heart disease or are being treated for high blood pressure are at a slightly increased risk of developing heart damage or even a heart attack. In most cases, the anesthesiologist attempts to have better control of the blood pressure during the procedure and thus these problems are minimized. Today, individuals who have problems with high blood pressure or have a history of heart disease are properly evaluated by doctors prior to undergoing ECT.

Generalized pain: ECT induces a violent seizure under controlled conditions. Nevertheless, the entire body convulses and the muscles in the body do contract. After the procedure, some individuals will complain of pain around the joints and muscles. Others will complain of nausea, headaches and generalized fatigue. The pain varies in severity but is generally mild. During the procedure, there is no pain because adequate pain medications are administered. The generalized pain and muscle aches do subside over a period of a few weeks.

Final Point: Not all individuals develop side effects after ECT. However, in the majority of cases the side effects do resolve in a few weeks. One can rest assured that you will not become a Zombie-that my friend only happens in movies.