HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In the 1930s, it was noticed that people who had both epilepsy and mental health problems often became calmer after an epileptic seizure. ECT was introduced as a result of this observation.

In the past ECT was used for a wide variety of problems, without anaesthetic, and sometimes repeatedly over a long period of time. ECT is not now used in this way - but it remains a controversial treatment. There is a school of thought that it should be used with particular caution - perhaps not at all - in young people aged under 18.

Some people who have had ECT think it should be banned - while others have found it helped a great deal. Sometimes patients have felt it was life-saving.

No-one knows exactly how ECT works, although this applies to many drug treatments also.