Electroconvulsive
Therapy
- Administration
of electrical current to temples under general anaesthetic and muscle
relaxant
- Can
only be given under informed consent or if patient under MHA then
independent consultant appointed by MHA Commisioners
- Can
be initiated before assessment under section 62 of MHA
Indications
- First
line treatment only if patient too severely psychomotor retarded to drink or
severe risk of suicide
- May
be considered in severe postnatal depression, where delay in onset of action
of antidepressants may adversely effect mother and child
Contra-indications (all relative)
- Raised
ICP
- Recent
stroke
- Recent
myocardial infarction
- Crescendo
angina
Side effects
- Anaesthetic
complications
- Dysrythmias
- Post-ictal
headache and confusion
- Retro-anterograde
amnesia – difficulties in registration and recall may persist for several
weeks
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