Biological therapies - ECT
- Created by: z_mills1
- Created on: 18-05-14 13:11
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- Biological therapies - ECT
- generally used for severely depressed patients whom psychotherapy and drug medication have proved ineffective
- How?
- a small amount of electric current (lasting about half a second) is passed through the brain
- the current produces a seizure whch affects the whole brain
- a small amount of electric current (lasting about half a second) is passed through the brain
- Why?
- ECT causes changes in the way the brain works, but there is a disagreement about the exact effects that lead to improvement
- ECT affects the action of neurotransmitters, so recovery from depression mar be a consequence of improving communication between different parts of the brain
- ECT causes changes in the way the brain works, but there is a disagreement about the exact effects that lead to improvement
- Evaluation
- Strengths
- ECT can save lives - ECT can be an effective treatment, particularly in cases of severe depession
- Effectiveness - Comer states that 60-70% of ECT patients improve after treatment
- Limitations
- side effects - possible side effects include impaired memory, cardiovascular problems and headaches
- Strengths
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