Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) (2)

Doctor Jon Lieberman dispels some of the myths surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which can be an effective treatment for depression.

My own opinion about ECT is very positive because I believe it saved my life. A lot of people think of ECT as would be seen in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ or old science fiction movies, and it’s nothing like that at all. Actually the anticipation of receiving ECT is worse than the doing. The frequency of ECT treatments vary with the level of severities. In the beginning of a treatment series, ECT might be administered as frequently as 3 times per week, and with an increasing positive response to ECT that can be decreased to 2 times a week, can be reduced to once a week and actually once a week on an out-patient basis. Usually when ECT is required at the level of 3 sessions per week, the person would be on an in-patient psychiatric unit.