Microteaching Slides for the intoduction and Basics

1. 1
Electroconvulsive Therapy
(ECT)

2. OBJECTIVES
• Introduction
• Procedure
• Mode of Action
• Indications
• Contraindications
• Complications
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3. INTRODUCTION
• When medication fails to ease the
symptoms of clinical depression, there are
other options to try.
• Brain stimulation techniques such as
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), for
example, can be used to treat major
depression that hasn't responded to
standard treatments.
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4. ELECTROCONVULSIVE
THERAPY (ECT)
• ECT is among the safest and most
effective treatments available for
depression.
• ECT is one of the fastest ways to relieve
symptoms in severely depressed
or suicidal patients. It's also very effective
for patients who suffer from mania or a
number of other mental illnesses.
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5. EFFECTIVE IN
• During pregnancy, when medications can't
be taken because they might harm the
developing fetus.
• In older adults who can't tolerate drug side
effects.
• In people who prefer ECT treatments over
taking medications
• When ECT has been successful in the past 5

6. PROCEDURE
• Prior to ECT treatment, a patient is given a muscle
relaxant and is put to sleep with a general
anaesthesia.
• Electrodes are placed on the patient's scalp and a
finely controlled electric current is applied.
• This current causes a brief seizure in the brain.
• ECT is usually given up to three times a week for a
total of two to four weeks.
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7. MODE OF ACTION
• It is done through the passage of an electric current
capable of inducing a generalized seizure activity in
the brain.
• The mechanism of action is not clear, but ECT is
one of the most efficient methods of treatment in
psychiatry.
• It has the least complications when applied
properly.
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8. 8

9. INDICATIONS OF ECT
1.Major Depression.
2.Bipolar Mood Disorder.
3.Acute psychotic disorders.
•Undifferentiated and brief
psychotic disorder
•Acute delusional disorders.
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10. 4.Schizoaffective disorders.
5.Schizophrenia:
•With catatonic symptoms.
•With mood (depressive symptoms)
• With acute exacerbation of
symptoms. 10

11. CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Recent myocardial infarction.
• Increased intracranial tension, cerebral aneurism or
hemorrhage.
• Extreme hypertension.
• Fever or acute respiratory infection.
• Significant arrhythmias.
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12. COMPLICATIONS OF ECT
• Transient short-term memory loss and
confusion
• Rare complications:
• Fractures or dislocations (if muscle relaxant
is not adequately used).
• Myocardial infarction or arrhythmias.
• Miscarriage, if patient has threatened
abortion.
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13. CONCLUSION
• ECT is among the safest and most
effective treatments available for
depression.
1. Major Depression.
2. Bipolar Mood Disorder.
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14. REFERENCE
• Short text book of psychiatry – Niraj Ahuja
• Synopsis of psychiatry – kaplan and sodock
• Text book of psychiatry – VMD Namboothiri
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15. THANK YOU. 15