ECT is electroconvulsive therapy.
For elderly individuals with schizophrenia who do not accept electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), drug therapy may be significant. A person with depression may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy. The most prevalent use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is to treat depression, but healthcare providers also recommend it for schizophrenia. Compared to medications, it begins to function rapidly (sometimes within a week), especially in the case of elderly patients. As long as you participate in subsequent procedures, ECT may reduce the risk of relapse. (10)
Before ECT, you will receive a muscle relaxant and general anaesthetic to prevent you from moving during the procedure. A medical team continuously monitors your pulse rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Electrodes are positioned in precise locations on the cranium. A modest electric current flows from an electrode into the brain for nearly a minute to induce a seizure. You must not experience pain or even be aware of electrical impulses due to anaesthesia. You are awake for one minute after treatment. Usually, drowsiness disappears within an hour. Typically, ECT treatments are administered nearly three times per week until symptoms subside. Therefore, it is essential to tailor treatment to each individual.
