Question

The Full form of ECT is
a. Electro cardio therapy
b. Electrical conduction therapy
c. Electroconvulsive therapy
d. Electroconvulsive technique

Answer 1

Hint: Medical treatment involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

Complete answer:
ECT stands for Electroconvulsive therapy given to patients with severe depression or bipolar disorder, catatonia, and schizophrenia-like illness. ECT is given when the patient does not respond to any other treatments related to the illness. The therapy is given under general anesthesia and muscle relaxant before starting the therapy. The patient’s brain is then stimulated with a controlled series of brief electrical pulses. The general schedule of ECT is 2-3 times a week for around 6-12 treatments, depending upon the severity of illness, the symptoms, and how quickly the patient responds to the therapy. ECT has proven to be effective for many individuals with serious mental illness but, still, it’s not a cure. To prevent revert back of the illness one needs to continue with maintenance therapy as a regular visit to psychotherapy or medication or in some cases continuation of ECT.
Additional Information:
The risk or side effects of ECT include Confusion, memory loss, physical side effects (like, nausea, headache, muscle or jaw pain) and medical complications (like, increase in heart rate and blood pressure that may lead to serious heart problems). Hence, the ECG of the patient is recommended before ECT to avoid serious heart issues.

Other Brain stimulation treatment includes:
- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) a non-invasive process involving the use of rapidly alternating magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain.
- VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) that implants an electrical pulse under the chest skin that provides intermittent electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve in the neck.

Note: ECT uses an electrical pulse that causes a seizure in a patient’s brain and is one of the fastest ways to treat severe mental illness.