Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves applying an electric shock to the brain to treat a mood or other disorder. This is done via electrodes placed on the head.

ECT is effective in people who have severe depression. It is also used in bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and mania.

There has been no full scientific explanation of how ECT actually works. However, current thinking is that it helps to produce neurotransmitters and acts in a similar way to a course of antidepressants.

While ECT has a poor public image because of the way it is often portrayed in films particularly in relation to it being forcibly applied etc, it has proved effective in people who don't respond to other treatments. Other advantages are that it can produce improvements in people quicker than other treatments and that it can be used in situations where drug treatment is not possible.

There can be side effects from ECT. These include temporary memory loss and confusion, headaches and stiffness. There is concern about its longer term effects and this is one of the reasons why ECT remains controversial.

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