HISTORY OF ECT

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

In the past, ECT was used for a wide variety of problems, without anaesthetic and very long courses were given. THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. However, ECT remains controversial. Some people want it banned, others have claimed it saved their lives.

A great deal is known about how it works. We know more about how ECT and drug treatments work than we do about how psychotherapy works.