Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was originally developed in 1938 by a neurologist who, quite by chance, saw a butcher inactivate pigs by giving them an electric current.
Electroconvulsive therapy (colloquially known as electroshock); life of patients with psychological 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 not used anymore, the reality is not quite like that. Today, it is still used in its modernized form in the treatment of many diseases.
This method, which is more used in chronic diseases such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is generally drugs and therapies are not effective It is used as a last option 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 was discovered. Portuguese psychiatrist Ladislas Meduna; In 1934, patients who were psychiatric patients and had epileptic seizures after having a seizure He noticed that he was getting better. He also decided to trigger the seizures to see if the effect was due to the seizure. While trying different ways for this, he realized that a stimulant drug, Metrazol, triggered epileptic seizures when given in high doses. In his experiments, patients who had seizures on Metrazol did indeed have reduced symptoms. This is how the first step in stimulating and treating the brain was taken.
In 1937, Swiss psychiatrist Max Müller focused on pharmacological convulsive therapy (triggering seizures by giving Metrazol). first international conference organized. As the conference continued, 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 drug’s stimulation was so severe that it could cause vertebral fractures. These side effects have prompted psychiatrists to look for alternative ways to trigger seizures.
Italian neurologist Ugo Cerletti, on the other hand, started to try the same thing on dogs when he saw that the butcher in a butcher’s shop was giving electrical shocks to pigs and numbing them. In his experiments, he realized that electrical shock provided the effect of Metrazole. Thus, ECT was born.
It is the last resort treatment method for diseases such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Although it was tried on all psychiatric patients when ECT device (Electroconvulsator) started to be used, nowadays it is more common. depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder used in patients. It is the most effective method especially in major depression.
Studies have shown that in patients who recovered with ECT, 80% of the patients relapsed within 10 weeks after ECT was discontinued. It is seen that this treatment method is used on one million patients worldwide annually. The reason why it is used so much may be that it shortens the hospitalization period of the patients and gives results in a short time.
It is administered to patients with anesthesia.
Accompanied by mental health specialists in many mental health and diseases hospitals Can be applied in 5 minutes In this procedure, the patient is placed on a stretcher and then anesthetic drugs that relax the muscles and put the patient to sleep are given. 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 be able to intervene immediately in a possible mishap, mental health professionals wait for another 15-20 minutes with the patient after this procedure and wait for the patient to wake up.
Do not be afraid, ECT does not cause permanent memory loss.
Studies have shown that ECT to brain damage There is no scientific evidence as to why. Occurring in rare memory defects However, it has been observed that it disappears completely within a year.
Bonus: Can ECT be used to clear memory?
Although it sounds good to erase memory ECT is not a memory erasure technique and cannot be used for this procedure. However, the important thing is to face our memories and look at them as bad memories from the past. Only in this way can you achieve the healing you want.
Sources: 1, 2, 3,
RELATED NEWS