ECT

Question 1

ECT indications

Answer 1

• treatment resistant severe depression
• manic episodes
• an episode of moderate depression know to respond to ECT in the past
• life threatening catatonia

Question 2

ECT contraindications

Answer 2

only absolute contraindications is raised intracranial pressure.

Question 3

ECT side effects: short term and long term

Answer 3

Short term:
headache
nausea
short term memory impairment
retrograde amnesia: memory loss of events prior to ECT
cardiac arrhythmia

Long term:
some patients report impaired memory
Apathy
Anhedonia
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of emotional responses
Difficulty learning new information