Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Depression

Treating severe depression

Most episodes of depression are managed in primary care or by psychiatrists in out-patient clinics. People with more severe depression sometimes need to be admitted to hospital for inpatient treatment.This occurs in less than 1 in 100 cases. Of this small percentage, a few may be given electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
After 60 years of use, ECT is still the most controversial psychiatric treatment. Much of the controversy surrounding ECT revolves around its effectiveness vs. the side effects, the objectivity of ECT experts, and the recent increase in ECT as a quick and easy solution, instead of long-term psychotherapy or hospitalisation.

Because of the concern about permanent memory loss and confusion related to ECT treatment, some researchers recommend that the treatment only be used as a last resort. It is also unclear whether or not ECT is effective. In some cases, the numbers are extremely favourable, citing 80 percent improvement in severely depressed patients, after ECT. However, other studies indicate that the relapse rate is high, even for patients who take medication after ECT. Some researchers insist that no study proves that ECT is effective for more than four weeks.

 

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